Mont Blanc granite climbing

Climbing
One day to several days
2 participants max.
Good climber

Granit Mont Blanc climbing with a mountain guide

The Mont Blanc massif is a unique playground for granite rock climbing. Its perfect cracks, sculpted slabs and aerial ridges attract climbers from all over the world. With a mountain guide, you can explore these walls in complete safety, discovering the classics and progressing on mythical lines.

 

The Mont Blanc massif is home to :

Historic routes Alpine climbs: often more accessible but still emblematic, they are an introduction to Chamonix granite and alpine climbing. Grades 3/4.

More climbing routes This route requires more technique, stamina and experience to climb cracks and slabs. Rating 5/6.

Technical and difficult routes Long, challenging routes, often with little equipment, where the descent, approach and safety in the high mountains are decisive factors. Rating 6/7 and above.

Over and above the grading, it is the quality of the equipment, whether in place or not, the length of the route, the way it is climbed and the approach that define the size and commitment of the climb, and therefore its overall difficulty.

Main climbing areas and summits in the Mont Blanc massif (non-exhaustive list)

  • Aiguille du Midi: Éperon des Cosmiques, South face of the Aiguille, Pointes Lachenal
  • Combe du Maudit: Grand Capucin, Trident, Roi de Siam, Pointe Adolphe Rey
  • Bassin du Géant: Dent du Géant, Getoula, Marbrées and Entrèves routes.
  • Refuge du Requin: Aiguille Pierre Allain, Dent du Requin
  • Envers des Aiguilles: Aiguille de Roc, Grand Charmoz, Grépon, Aiguille de la République
  • Leschaux: Aiguille Pierre-Joseph, Aiguille de Leschaux, Petites et Grandes Jorasses
  • Cover: Aiguille du Moine, Évêque
  • Charpoua: Flammes de Pierre, Drus, Moine foothills
  • Map of the Aiguille: Grand Charmoz, Aiguille de Blaitière, Aiguille du Peigne, Pélerins, Deux Aigles
  • Aiguilles Rouges: Brévent, Aiguille de la Glière, Pouce
  • Perrons de Vallorcine: beautiful routes on the south face and facing the lake, followed by abseiling or a long wild ridge.
  • Trient : Aiguilles Dorées, Portalet bell tower
  • Argentière: Aiguille d'Argentière
  • Italian side: Val Ferret - Monts Rouges de Triolet, Val Veny - Aiguille Croux

 

This list is by no means complete, but it already offers a playground capable of occupying a mountaineer's life on granite!

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You will love

The magnificent granite peaks of the Mont Blanc massif
From beginner to extremely difficult, equipped or on adventure terrain
Short approaches, or sectors away from the crowds

The guide's opinion

Of all the activities in the mountains, it's hard to say which one I prefer, but climbing clearly takes pride of place. And when it comes to quality rock, Chamonix granite is well up there on the podium of top-class spots for high-mountain climbing!

Meeting point

What the price includes

Included

Supervision by a UIAGM-certified mountain guide
Loan of specific technical equipment

Not included

Transport to the meeting point
Half-board in refuge for the group
Lift passes if required

Frequently asked questions

Climbing on granite in the Mont Blanc massif requires a good knowledge of mountaineering and high mountain safety. With a guide, you'll benefit from local expertise to help you choose routes suited to your level, optimise your approach and descent, and make the most of the most beautiful major routes in the massif. Whether you're looking for historic routes, more technical routes or challenging ridges, a guide will ensure your safety and give you precise advice.

There are historic, emblematic and accessible routes, more challenging routes to improve your technique and endurance, and technical and difficult, long and challenging routes, where the equipment, the approach and the descent play a key role in the overall difficulty. Choosing a guide allows you to understand the specifics of each route and its level of commitment.

The main sectors include Aiguille du Midi, Combe du Maudit, Refuge du Requin, Envers des Aiguilles, Plan de l'Aiguille, Leschaux, Couvercle, Charpoua, Aiguilles Rouges, the Trient sector, Argentière and the Italian slopes such as Val Ferret and Val Veny. Each sector offers a variety of major routes and granite ridges, from beginner routes to very challenging climbs.

The optimum period is generally from June to September, depending on altitude and exposure. Some routes may be accessible earlier or later in the season, depending on weather and altitude conditions.

Over and above the grading, the level of commitment depends on the length of the route, the level of equipment (bolts, pitons, belays), the method of descent, the approach and the mountain conditions. A short but poorly equipped route can be more demanding than a longer but well-protected route. A guide will help you assess these parameters and ensure that your progress is safe.

For historic or less technical routes, an experienced climber can progress with a guide. For more challenging, technical or very long routes, previous experience of alpine and granite climbing is recommended. The guide will assess your level and adapt the choice of routes.

CONTACT

Need more information? Please contact me!
Single point of contact

Live with your guide, from first contact to the summit.

Creative and flexible

A flexible framework for devising the most appropriate itinerary or activity for each day, depending on the group and the conditions.

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