Traverse Pigne d'Arolla/Mont Blanc de Cheilon

The Traverse...

I have made this trip at 15 july 2007 with great weather.

The Traverse of Pigne d'Arolla is a beautiful tour complete with snow, glacier, rock and great views. Its a long trip but worth making it.
Both mountains are very often climbed but to do them both on one day is a real pleasure. During this traverse you climb the Mont Blanc de Cheilon by the E-ridge (UIAA III)The Traverse can be made in two days depending if you go down to Arolla after the traverse of stay in the Cabane des Dix. Arolla is the starting point of this trip. From here you go up to Cabane de Vignettes. Next day the traverse starts here...

Pigne d'Arolla 3790m

From Cab. de Vignettes you start early in the morning and take the normal way up to Pigne d'Arolla by climbing the SE-side. Beautiful sunrise wil be yours and all the surrounding mountains show you theire beauty. If you are luckt you will be the first one on the summit. From there you you go down to Col de la Serpentine looking back to the Pign d'Arolla.

Mont Blanc de Cheilon 3870m

From the Col you go up the steep snowslope leading to the E-ridge of the MB de Cheilon. Take care of the Cornices at the right! On top of this slope you can already see the summit with the climbers of the normal route on it. After this ridge the rocks begin. First you have to climb some towers, not very hard, to cross the small ridge between the snowslope and the final rocktower to the summit. This tower is not very hard and a pleasure to climb. On the Summit the view is just great! Dent Blanche, Grand Combin and all the other great mountians of Vallais! If the weather is good you can also see the Mont Blanc! The way down followsthe normal route, the SW-ridge to Col de Cheilon and to the Cab. des Dix. You can spent the night here or further to Arolla over the Pas de Chevres.
And then lay down and think back to a great and beautiful trip!

Mont Blanc de Cheilon.

What you need.

This is a alpine trip so you have to be experience in this terrain. You have to climb steep snow/ice and rock UIAA III. Take Glacier and snowgear with you and some equipment for belay in rock. Take enouhgt food and water, its a long trip! If u can deciede halfway u cant make it go down by Col de Serpentine to Cab. des Dix!

Images

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