My planned rest day on Sunday ended up being spent sportclimbing at Gietroz, Suisse. But today was forecast to be the last day of high-pressure, so rested or not, it was necessary to head back up in the ‘pine! On Saturday I had mentioned to Aymeric that I had never climbed Aiguille Verte, and he told me that in Chamonix there is a saying that you are a real alpinist once you have climbed Aiguille Verte. OK then!
I got to the base of Grands Montets at the slacker time of 8:30, and thus had to wait in line for quite a while, finally leaving the Col du Montet at around 9:45. I made good time up the Couturier Couloir, topping out the Aiguille Verte at 11:20. The Couturier is currently icy almost the whole way, and would be terrifying to ski in its present condition. My descent route, the Whymper Couloir, was also disappointingly re-frozen and firm, so I only ended up skiing the middle third of it, and downclimbing the rest. Nonetheless, another nice day out!
Looking down the Couturier Couloir:
Au Sommet de l’Aiguille Vert. Hurrah! Je suis finalement un vrais alpinist!
Steep skiing is always a bit more exciting in climbing boots:
