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Base Camp
Up
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: September 3, 2011
- Miles Hiked: 2.0
- Elevation Gain: 1,000'
- Hiking Partner(s): Brian Kooeinga,
Scott Momburg, and Kevin
Smith
- Description:
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Continued from the Chere Couloir.
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Video Trip Report
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After a second evening in the Cosmiques Hut, we were anxious for a
shower and a return to Chamonix. As a result, we opted for a route that
would take us directly to the
Aiguille du Midi without having to climb the narrow snow arete to the
climber’s tunnel. The Cosmiques Arete is a fun ridge route with enough
variety to keep all climbers happy. When we completed the climb, it was
generally dry and only required crampons for the final 300’. We set up
as two rope teams again, but were able to simul-climb all but the crux
section of the climb. There was a lot of class 3 and 4 scrambling with
a few low class 5 steps that were easily climbed without belaying. The
crux consists of 25’ to 30’ of steeper climbing with good hands and
holes drilled in the slab for front-point placements. The route-finding
was never too difficult because of the heavy traffic the route
receives. It was very enjoyable climbing over and around large rock
pinnacles and gendarmes.
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The views throughout the morning were amazing and the setting was
spectacular in a true alpine environment. The bonus of the climb is
that you finish directly below one of the viewing platforms of the upper
cable car station to numerous tourists taking pictures of you looking
like a rock star. The four of us completed the climb and quickly made
our way to the gondola to take us back to civilization. We quickly
found the modest accommodations of the Hotel Richmond in the heart of
Chamonix for 108 Euros a night.
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Due to continued weather deterioration, we spent Saturday afternoon and
all of Sunday lounging and hanging out in Chamonix. By Monday,
September 5, 2011, we were all getting restless, so we decided to take a
road trip. We checked out of the Hotel Richmond and drove to the
Italian Riviera. Within approximately 4 hours, we were staring at the
Mediterranean Sea from the small coastal Italian town of Sestri Levante.
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Continued to
Mont Blanc du Tacul.
- Maps:
- Photographs:
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www.
just
hiking
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