Aiguille d'Argentière - S Face

Climb

The beginning of the route is common with the normal route of the Goléon].

From les Hières] (1782 m), or according to snow conditions Pramailer/Valfroide (1874 m), follow the route of Lac du Goléon through the refuge of Goléon]. After a short descent along the right bank side of the lake, cross the Amont plateau (snow bridge in the spring). Take the SW slopes under the Col du Goléon], go N and aim at the top of the ridge that connects the Col du Goléon] to the Aiguille d’Argentière]. Once on the ridge we can approach or even ski to E summit, either by the ridge or crossing slightly below (exposed). Then reaching the W summit (3237 m) is much more delicate.

Downhill

Either by the climb route (S3) or full S from the summit E by le Creux de la Corbeille ( sustained S4 for 200 m in a face of 700 m) presence of many rocks (E2).

Return variation

Rather than going back to the Goléon hut], it is possible to go back to the Cruq des Aiguilles] by the rubans. That adds 250 m of D+, but a nice S facing descent, avoiding a good part of the flat of the valley.

• Difficulty between S3 to S4 depending on the descent choices.
• The final edge between the vertices E (3216) and W (3227) is rated AD.
• The snow is well transformed early in the season but watch out for the sun!