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Richard Cotter and I went to climb the Cosmique Arete on the Aiguille du Midi yesterday. We got the telepherique up to the top of the Midi at 8am, had a coffee in the restaurant and harnessed up in comfort. |
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Before starting down the spectacular snow ridge leading to the bottom of the summit block of the Midi. |
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The Cosmique arete goes up the left hand sky line and is a classic and very popular route graded at AD+. |
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Richard on one of the many steep steps on the route. |
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A great view of Mont Blanc showing the route we shall be following tomorrow. |
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Another interesting step. |
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Yet more fun climbing… |
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…and then an abseil down one of the many gendarmes. |
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Dave leading an awkward little move. |
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But it was slow going. We are caught behind a Latvian team of nine, all roped together and very very slow, but it was sociable and we learnt about Latvian politics. They might be facing a recession but their gear was brand spanking new and they had every bit of kit you could ever imagine. |
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This is the crux of the climb – without aid, about English 5a, but with a pull on a sling, quite a bit easier. |
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You finish the Cosmique Arete up a ladder leading to the Viewing Platform in the top left of the picture. It’s a great way to acclimatise and is a lot of fun too. |
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