Mont Aiguille normal route. The first summit in mountaineering!
Mont Aiguille is a mountain in a class of its own. With its iconic silhouette and easy but vertical climbing route, Mont Aiguille is a great introduction to mountaineering. A historic peak in the history of mountaineering, as it is considered to be the first.
The first ascent in 1492 was via the normal route, a route that follows a line of weakness in the wall. The climb is easy and fun, before an impressive but accessible abseil via the Tubulaires. A great way to start rock climbing.
We set off from La Richardière early in the morning, after a coffee at the Gîte du Gai Soleil. A 1h15 walk takes us to the Col de l'Aupet (1650m) and then to the foot of the face where the route begins. Via easy ledges and a few climbing steps, the route climbs up the face along its lines of weakness. After the "dining room", a system of ledges takes us to the foot of the large fault, which we climb a few 3+ pitches. We then arrive on the summit plateau, in the middle of alpine grassland. The summit is just a few hundred metres away.
After a short break to eat and admire the panorama of the Vercors and the Écrins, we cross to the south to join the descent route, which consists of a few abseils, easy descents and walks on the ledges. The last two abseils are the most sensational: quite long, the second is downright pendular and 50m vertical!
Once at the bottom, all you have to do is pick up the path back down. End of the day with a drink on the terrace!
The climb is accessible to anyone in good physical condition, comfortable with mountain walking and ready to discover the basics of climbing. No previous mountaineering experience is required if you are accompanied by a guide.
No, the normal route does not present any great technical difficulties. As a guide, I will accompany you in complete safety and teach you the basics of rock climbing.
The climb takes a full day. You usually set off early in the morning and return mid-afternoon. Allow around 6 to 8 hours for the activity.
I provide the technical equipment (harness, helmet, rope, belay system). All you'll need is good hiking or approach boots, a rucksack with water, a picnic and clothing suited to the weather.
In summer mode, it can generally be done from May to October, depending on the weather conditions. Outside this period, when snow or ice makes access more difficult, it becomes a winter mountaineering race. It's entirely possible, but only for experienced climbers!
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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