I fell into a deep, completely hidden crevasse crossing the Glacier du Trient to the Cabane du Trient on a warm, late July afternoon. We were corded together, so no problem.
Climbing the Aiguille du Tour the next day we found a mixture of rock, ice and snow - plus two dozen other climbers. A helmet is a good idea. We wore our crampons all the way to the eastern summit.
Take Argenteirre ski lift to top in village of La Tour. French Alpine Club maintains a hostel-like Chalet in La Tour that is 1/2 board and very nice, CHEAP. 2 hour hike along NW side of glacier to Albert 1st Hut. The hut was just completely renovated and reopened in June 2014 and is the nicest hut I've been in. It will definitely open up more traffic to the Aguille du Chardonet and La Tour.
The "normal" route is not technical with a long glacier traverse around the mountain with a 200 ft section that can be short roped. This now is the most common way of descent and by far the best climb to summit is via Table de Roc.
Table de Roc is a short "AD" climb that has some mixed parts but 90% alpine rock. Only a few sections of rock that is maybe 5.8 but most of the rock would be 5.5-7, and done without crampons. There are 2 nice false peaks with a great exposed ridge line and great views of the Chardonet. Of course the first section ends on the "Table" which makes for a good kodak moment.
norbertc - Mar 12, 2002 3:59 am - Voted 8/10
Untitled CommentI fell into a deep, completely hidden crevasse crossing the Glacier du Trient to the Cabane du Trient on a warm, late July afternoon. We were corded together, so no problem.
Climbing the Aiguille du Tour the next day we found a mixture of rock, ice and snow - plus two dozen other climbers. A helmet is a good idea. We wore our crampons all the way to the eastern summit.
Garfield - Dec 13, 2005 2:50 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentPhoto
georgen - Jul 25, 2010 8:21 am - Voted 6/10
First climbed18 August 1864,the date 1926 is for Table de roc spur.
eporr - Sep 1, 2014 3:48 am - Hasn't voted
More DetailTake Argenteirre ski lift to top in village of La Tour. French Alpine Club maintains a hostel-like Chalet in La Tour that is 1/2 board and very nice, CHEAP. 2 hour hike along NW side of glacier to Albert 1st Hut. The hut was just completely renovated and reopened in June 2014 and is the nicest hut I've been in. It will definitely open up more traffic to the Aguille du Chardonet and La Tour.
The "normal" route is not technical with a long glacier traverse around the mountain with a 200 ft section that can be short roped. This now is the most common way of descent and by far the best climb to summit is via Table de Roc.
Table de Roc is a short "AD" climb that has some mixed parts but 90% alpine rock. Only a few sections of rock that is maybe 5.8 but most of the rock would be 5.5-7, and done without crampons. There are 2 nice false peaks with a great exposed ridge line and great views of the Chardonet. Of course the first section ends on the "Table" which makes for a good kodak moment.