The perfect companion to the route
La Jonction
After waiting for the perfect weather window Plum and I set off on another adventure This time to the 'Grands Mulets' refuge from the Midi mid station, across the glacier du Bossons and la Jonction. This took about 3 hours and the snow bridges were not too creaky.
On day 2, we opted for a last out of bed/first on the summit approach. Thinking that our season of mountaineering and skiing would help us to the top. We left the hut at 2.30am; rather than taking the classic line up through the petit and grand plateau, we took the north ridge of the Dome du Gouter. This involved a considerable amount of 'boot packing' (ski's on back). it is however a lot safer as there is no risk of serac fall. This route joins the classic route at the Col du Dome du Gouter.
We hit a quick/steady pace and before we knew it we were at the Vallot hut. An emergency refuge below the summit of Mont Blanc. Here we ditched ski's and hiked over the 'Bosses Ridge', we got within a stone's throw of the summit but Plum was feeling pretty bad (since the previous night + lack of hydration + possibly altitude etc)...so we decided it was near enough for the day. It took us just over 5 hours to get here so I think we were on target for a 5.5 hour summit which would have been good. I didn't mind as I had been up there before and today had been a great journey nevertheless.
Sunrise at the Col below the Vallot refuge
Over the 'Bosses'
Skiing down the 'Grand Mulets' normal route. So pleased we chose not to ascend this route as you are exposed to serac fall danger for several hours. Oh and they are quite sizeable up here!
You mean to say "Plum had the shits."
ReplyDelete