Many teams turned back on the route to Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi today. Those getting an early start from the Cosmiques Hut enjoyed a full moon bathed night, but the wind and cloud started early and provided a cold buffeting. Most teams starting from the first Midi lift were fighting a losing battle and like many other teams we returned from the Col de la Brenva with no summit in the bag.

Conditions were reasonable although the normal route on Mont Blanc du Tacul now includes a 'Khumbu icefall' style ladder for a particularly large crevasse crossing. Active seracs still threaten the approach to the shoulder on Mont Maudit, (photo). The steep icy slope which provides access to the shoulder was a total bun fight today with teams struggling to pass each other and multiple small rock and ice falls would suggest a helmet is a good idea!

Numerous teams completed the Frontier Ridge (Kuffner Arete) and reported good conditions on the route but poor conditions on the approach to the Col de la Fourche Hut. Various teams were climbing on the Triangle du Tacul including the Chere Couloir and Contamine Mazuead.