Haute Vallée Blanche Crossing

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© GÉOPORTAIL

Take the train at Crémaillère that takes you to the top station of Montenvers (1,913 m) in 20 minutes. Head for the start of the ladders that overhang the Mer de Glace by 250 meters, following the retreat of the glaciers.

Do not hesitate to make sure the guide belays you for the descent of the ladders which is impressive the first time. Shortly after joining the moraine on the left bank of the glacier, the guide will make you put on the crampons depending on the weather. Nothing complicated in glacier walking with crampons on slopes of < 30°.

Then you go back up the tip of the Mer de Glace. The climb occurs amidst the crevasses. After about two hours, you leave the Tacul Glacier on the right and proceed towards the Leschaux Glacier.

If you are lucky, you might see a herd of chamois whilst you climb up the Leschaux Glacier. Failing that, you can pick up a few pieces of quartz, smoked if possible!

Ignore on your left the ladders leading “directly” to the Couvercle refuge. Continue the ascent of the glacier with the North Face of the Grandes Jorasses in the background. After 3h30 you reach the foot of very steep ladders and the refuge in 4 hours.

After a short pause at the Leschaux refuge facing the Grandes Jorasses, you return by the same route in approximately 3 hours.

You get to the upper station of Montenvers after climbing the ladders.

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