Ski Mont Blanc (4810m)
Leaving the Plan de l'Aiguille station en route to the Grands Mulets Hut
An interesting & atmospheric 3-5 hour skinning journey
High level traverse under the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi
The route to the Grands Mulets takes a long rising traverse to the complicated glacier feature 'la Jonction'
Ski Mont Blanc via Arete Royale (N.Ridge Dome du Gouter)
The line of approach to the Grands Mulets Hut and on to the Arete Royale is marked
0400 & halfway up the sustained mountaineering ridge of the 'Arete Royale'
This route provides a safer, more technical and perhaps better traverse than the ascent of the Grand Mulets glacier
One of many ski / skinning / booting transitions on the ski ascent of Mont Blanc
As well as having good ski & mountaineering ability, fitness and acclimatisation the Mont Blan ski mountaineer must be swift and efficient at making transitions.
The Ski ascent line crosses the Dome du Gouter shoulder at C.4250m
Then traverses into the Col du Dome. We made a ski depot on the slope between this col and the Valot Hut before tackling the Bosses Ridge. The Black line marks the North Face descent line taken by another party
Quality mountaineering in a superb position - The 'Bosses Ridge', near the summit of Mont Blanc
Aiguille de Bionnassay beyond
Impressive glacial scenery on the N. facing descent between Col du Dome & Grand Mulets Hut
Long open ski pitches are mixed with short technical passages around crevasses
Short section of steep & icy side slipping below the Petit Plateau
The fine, long & varied ski descent of Mont Blanc
Fine spring snow on the Plan Glacier
The Plan de l'Aiguille station is a welcome sight after 12 hours on the go
May Dawn - Pristine skinning conditions traversing the Dome du Gouter.
After an ascent of the 'Arete Royale' as part of climbing Mont Blanc with Skis
Carrying Skis High on the Bosses Arete of Mont Blanc
Near the summit after 8.5 hours of trail breaking
The Ski Line Taken on Mont Blanc North Face, May 2011
Beware that there was a large lightly bridged crevasse right at the top of the face
