Description

The Mallory Couloir in the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi is an intimidating and extremely exposed "classic" of Chamonix.

It's a rocky pinnacle rising 3,842m from the town of Chamonix into the thin air of Europe's highest mountain, the Mont Blanc.

Its Téléphérique still holds the record as the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world.

And it's right below this cable car where climbing aficionados—and extreme skiers and snowboarders—find the Mallory Couloir: A 500m-long route that's rated TD+ (très difficile + = very difficult+) and boasts an average steepness of 50-55 degrees with passages up to 58 degrees! Take the Aiguille du Midi lift up and after a short ride down you will drop into the north face where the line begins.

This line is very exposed and will require a number of rappels to get safely down the face.

You will also need crampons, a rope, and ice axes. Watch the full video of this line, featured in Xavier de le Rue's web series, DIY: Mallory: https://youtu.be/ZuLN64LdL0s