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Winter mountaineering: conquering the magnificent mountains
The exploits of famous local mountaineers like Rene Demaison, Lionel Terray, Gaston Rebuffat and other "conquerors of the useless" are reasons why the high mountains of the Mont-Blanc range are revered by climbers all over the world - and attract thousands more every season. If, like them, winter conditions do not frighten you, head for the hills!
It is only in winter, when the conditions are often very stable, that you can explore the Mont-Blanc's wild, secret, "grandes routes". And they are perhaps less inaccessible than you imagine! There are routes in the high-mountain universe for everyone from beginners to experts - truly something for every ability level. Access is often facilitated by cable cars. All you have to do is choose your play-ground - chimneys, ridges, north faces... You just have to be motivated, in good physical shape and, essential, accompanied by guides. Because of their knowledge of Alpine terrain, snow, weather and climbing techniques, high-mountain guides are "musts" for most of us! In addition to classic routes like the arête des Cosmiques, the north face of l'Aiguille de Toule and of course, the climb to the summit of the Mont Blanc, there are tougher climbs in chimneys and cracks and the north face of la Tour Ronde, the Triangle du Mt Blanc du Tacul and so on. But the really to-the-limit winter routes - the north face of the Droites, the north face of the Courtes, l'Aiguille Verte and le Grand Pilier d'Angle Blanc, are reserved for experts like Patrick Gabarrou, Christophe Profit and so many others...
