A climber on a sharp rock and snow ridge

Mont Blanc massifSummer

Cosmiques Arete

GradeAD

Days1

Highest point3 842 m

Price690 EUR

At a glance

The classic first ridge of Chamonix. Granite, snow and the cable car station right at the top.

We take the first cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, walk down the snow arete and cross under the south face to the Abri Simond. From there the ridge climbs back up to the station in short steps of rock and snow, with a short abseil and the famous slab near the top. It is a full day out at altitude with an easy way home: you finish on the terrace where you started.

Season
June to September
Rope
1 guide, 2 climbers
Grade
AD
Price
from 690 EUR per person

The line

Altitude along the route, from the first step to the last. The dots are the places we stop.

  1. 3 800 mAiguille du Midi
  2. 3 560 mAbri Simond
  3. 3 700 mThe abseil
  4. 3 720 mThe slab
  5. 3 842 mTop station
  1. Aiguille du Midi3 800 m
  2. Abri Simond3 560 m
  3. The abseil3 700 m
  4. The slab3 720 m
  5. Top station3 842 m

Day by day

The plan we start from. The weather and your pace decide the rest.

  1. Morning

    Down the arete

    First cable car at 07:10, crampons on in the ice tunnel and down the narrow snow arete to the Vallee Blanche.

    -280 m

  2. Midday

    The ridge

    Short rope on granite towers, one abseil into a gap, then mixed ground with good holds and big views over the Vallee Blanche.

    +300 m

  3. Afternoon

    The top station

    The last ladder lands you among the visitors on the terrace. Lunch is on us, the cable car down is not.

    +40 m

A climber in an orange pack on a steep snow slope
Two climbers as dark shapes on a rock ridge

Before you come

  • Some rock climbing in boots
  • A day at 3 500 m before, to sleep well
  • Head for heights on a narrow snow ridge

Included

  • Your guide for the day
  • Ropes, slings and the group gear
  • Lunch on the terrace
  • Planning call the week before

You bring

  • Crampons and ice axe (we can lend)
  • Harness and helmet (we can lend)
  • Cable car ticket
  • Warm layers, gloves, sunglasses

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