
Details
Excellent, homogeneous route with a very easy access now there is a prepared path to the new ladders leading to the Mer de Glace.
Approach # 12mins
From the Montenvers station follow the Mer de Glace path to the top of the ladders. Descend the first set of long ladders and then the two sets of short ladders. Before you used to continue down ladders on the left, (looking outwards towards the glacier.) These are no longer used. Follow the path to reach the newer ladders, (to the right facing outwards,) and take the higher line, (large white arrow,) towards the ladders furthest away from Montenvers. You pass behind some boulders and then along a metal walkway to reach a steel girder, about 20m before the start of the next ladders. The route takes a line of glued in “Fixe” bolts that start above the mid-point of this girder. (It is the first line of glued in bolts after La Grand Échelle.) N.B. The Piola guidebook predates the newer ladders.
Route
L# | 5b | 40m | L# | 5b | 20m | L# | 5a | 35m |
Descent
Abseil down the route
The bolts are very well placed to protect the difficulties.

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