The Cosmiques Arête

This stunning ridge climb that is visible from the Chamonix center is an outstanding introduction to alpine climbing and a wonderful way to experience the Mont Blanc massif for the first time. Whether you are a seasoned alpinist or donning crampons for the first time, this route is classic and not to be missed.

Exit ice tunnel onto the Mer de Glace

Zip up 2,000 meters on the Aiguille du Midi telepherique in just a few short minutes with climbers, skiers, and every-day tourists to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. Lean against the concrete tunnel walls to put on your crampons before walking out of the famous ice tunnel to be injected into the alpine.

Looking back on a very snowy Cosmiques Arete

A short descent from the Col du Midi and a traverse below the ridge find you at the toe of the Cosmiques Arete. Begin by climbing some easy rock slabs and gaining a snowy ridge. After some time, you will come upon the mandatory rappel that over some fresh rock fall terrain. This rappel will put you on a 很高兴认识你 ledge to pull your rope from. Look up and right from here and you will see a chimney with many large holds covered in crampon scratches to climb up. Climb this, then traverse for some time to get to the base of the routes diagonal crack crux. Today, the route has seen so much traffic that there are holes worn into the granite on the crux for dual-point crampons! Now that you have dispatched the hardest climbing of the route, you will gain the north side of the ridge and some wild exposure nearly 2,500 meters above Chamonix. Some easy ice climbing in a chimney will bring you to the end of the final pitch of the route—a ladder leading to the viewing platform on the Aiguille du Midi! The ridge was first climbed by George and Maxwell Finched on August 2, 1911. It has remained a classic route since then and will remain so for years to come!

Topping out to fanfare on the Cosmiques Arete