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Traverse of the Aiguille de la Noire

Aiguille du Midi

Chamonix

Skyway Monte Bianco

An incredible steep glacial face with blind rollovers, it is not often in condition these days.

Also in Haute-Savoie, France

Ski Touring Extreme

Distance
3.4 km
Ascent
298 m
Descent
1 km
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.6 km
High Point
3.6 km
Gradient
54˚
Traverse of the Aiguille de la Noire Map

Starting from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, exit the lift station and walk down the arête. Ski down the Vallée Blanche, crossing over to the Italian side. Once on the flat glacier above the Geant Icefall, start skinning up the slopes of the Géant Glacier in the direction of the Dent du Géant. Skin up to the toe of the rocky spur coming down between Point Yeld and the Col Superior de la Noire. Climb up a 40 degree slope to the right of the rocky toe and continue trending rightwards onto the ridgeline. From here locate a small col and ski down across the hanging serac of Point Yeld. Ski across this short glacial face and climb up a small section of easy mixed ground. Now at this second col, there are two options; to skier's right and to skier's left. Both lines start off easy before the face steepens into blind rollovers. Both the left and right lines have short sections of usually bare ice (except under very good conditions) and normally require a short but committing straight line or a short abseil on a v-thread. After these crux sections, continue down the open 40-45 degree face before joining the Périades Glacier. Ski down and onto the Salle à Manger, re-joining the main Vallée Blanche route.

Difficulty

Extreme

Extreme skiing terrain above 45 degrees. These routes are reserved for experienced experts.

High Exposure (E3)

3 out of 4

In case of a fall, death is highly likely.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between March and May

Features

  • Alpine
  • Cliffs
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Rope
  • Skins
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area