Three days at the Couvercle refuge.
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Summer is in full swing. There's nothing like a little outing to Chamonix to refresh your thoughts and warm your thighs. Dive into the Mont Blanc massif with our friend Michel Kropf, farmer at the Salaz abbey, co-founder of West snowboards, passionate about granite and Savoyard Reblochon.
Beyond the myths
"When I hear the name
Chamonix, I either imagine hordes of Swedes leaning against the bar, harnesses still on and ice screws dangling, or I imagine mythical ascents that have created the history of mountaineering. But there is definitely an in-between, accessible with some adventure and full of wonder!"
Our itinerary starts at the exit of the Montenvers train, a three hour walk with the Grand Jorasses in front of us to reach the refuge du couvercle.
We walk on the famous sea of ice (well, what is left of it) then we join the endless ladders to get out of the trough dug by the glacier and join the refuge du couvercle direction "la Nonne" for a warm up outing.
The panorama is amazing!
Second day, it's the big one! the Aiguille du Moine by the south ridge. Breakfast at 4am, we take off the crampons after having jumped the rimaye at the first light of the day! Unfamiliar with climbing without belays or bolts, "route finding" is a discipline in itself in such a large vertical ocean of granite.
A few more pitches and we are at the top!
A few more pitches and we are at the top!
The time for a piece of bread and a piece of cheese, you don't have to waste any time getting off. The navigation is even more complex than on the way up. Between the ledges and the slabs, you have to stay concentrated to find the way down! 4:30 pm, back at the refuge du couvercle and ... santé!
Third day, sleeping in until 7am, sorting out the stuff, folding the bag and going back to Chamonix. That's all for now.
Third day, sleeping in until 7am, sorting out the stuff, folding the bag and going back to Chamonix. That's all for now.
Mikkele’s finest choice:
