Equip yourself with 2 ropes, nuts, cams and crevasse rescue gear, being confident you can use it all if needed. This is a technical mountaineering route, definitely unsuitable for those with limited mountaineering experience. Make a VERY early (1am ish) start from the Refuge de Couvercle (2750 meters) and follow the climbers left hand side of the Taléfre Glacier until you reach the bergschrund at 3450 meters. Historically the bergschrund passes on the climbers right side, but due to global warming it is now being passed often on the left as well, which requires a 150 meter traverse back right to join the main part of the couloir. After a short section of easy (40-45 degree) snow climbing you enter a narrower section which is often drier and can have steps of easy mixed climbing. You will pass numerous rappel anchors which give the additional possibility of running belays, in addition to cam, nut, and sling placements. Climbers generally opt for one of two strategies to protect themselves on the route. Either you solo the majority of the couloir, or you use a sixty meter rope and running belays with ropemen to increase the margin of safety should rockfall, sluff, or something dislodged from climbers above you (which there will almost certainly be in the main season) knock you off. Once you reach the col at the top of the line, it is another 20 minutes on an exposed ridge to the summit of the Aiguille Verte (4,122m). Traditionally Chamonix mountain guides said that are not a "vrai alpiniste" (a real mountaineer) unless you have climbed the Aiguille Verte, so enjoy your new found status and fabulous views from the summit!

Once back at the col it is another one hour roundtrip to the summit of the Grand Rocheuse (4,102) which is another of the 82 4,000 meter peaks. From Grand Rocheuse it is also possible to do an out and back to the Aiguille Jardin (4,035) which should take about 1.5 hours from the Rocheuse summit. It is very important to be mindful of the time, because the Whymper receives early sun and will start to have sluffs and rockfall after 10 AM. The Whymper is well equipped for rappelling (2 x 60 meter ropes necessary) so rappel and downclimb all the way back down to and then over the bergschrund. Allow twelve hours from hut to hut.