Claire Chazal (II,4) 500m Argentiere Basin, Chamonix
Pointe Farrar, Argentiere Basin, Chamonix
Approximate lines of Frendo Ravanel (II,5) and Claire Chazal (II,4) marked
British Guide Jonny Baird "Enjoying" the full-on Sprindfrift on an early mixed pitch on 'Claire Chazal'
Argentiere Basin, Chamonix
Lower mixed ground on the Claire Chazal
The Claire Chazal and other good ice / mixed routes on the Aiguille Verte's Pt Farrar are accessed by a 5 minute ski down from the Grands Montetes Telecabine
Upper Ice Wall on the Claire Chazal
A lull in the spindrift! Check the next photo for conditions 10 seconds later....
Extreme Spindrift Conditions that even Ben Nevis would be proud of!
A fiercely strong wind blasted snow over the Grands Montets ridge on the Aiguillle Verte and poured spindrift in huge waves down the Argentiere face of Pointe Farrar. Both Jonny and I felt close to being 'plucked off' the route due to the volume of spindrift gushing down!
