25/7/11
The rain had deposited 1m of new snow on the Aiguille du Midi. Undeterred and with a weather window we headed to the Midi for the first lift. The exit from the ice cave and down the Arête du Midi was exciting as ever with seemingly the world at your feet.
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| Looking back up the ridge to Aiguille du Midi. |
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| Nearing the bottom of the ridge nicknamed "the walk of death" |
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| The top of the Frendo Spur and Chamonix 3,600m below |
This is the “walk of angels” and not the “walk of death” as its sometimes called. We stopped briefly above the Frendo Spur before swinging beneath the Pilastre SE and headed for the Col du Gros Rognon, passing beneath the North Face of Mont Blanc du Tacul to traverse La Vallee Blanche.
With no other parties and perfect conditions we had time to soak up the atmosphere as we headed for the Aiguilles du Diable, Petit and Grand Capucin, Mont Maudit and the Tour Ronde.
The new snow made the crevasse section tricky but we managed with care and plugged holes all the way to Le Flambeaux Pass and Pt Helbronner for Cappuccino before riding the bubble back to Cham. A day we will always remember.
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| Underneath Le Petit and Grand Capucin |
