Monte Viso’s Horizon…
Truly incredible vista from Viso…
Straight after sunny Wales it was back to mixed weather in the Alps. I was joining David for for week and an half of climbing…we’ve climbed together before and the agenda was to have a good time…
We imediately bailed from a wet and snowy Chamonix to the famous Monte Viso area. We left some friends at the roadhead in still challenging weather and walked to the busy Quintino Sella hut. Next morning we climbed the Punta Barraca’s NE spur…pretty trad to say the least….the hut guardian said “Nice choice”…then..”you’re the first and last to climb that this season”. We enjoyed ourselves.
Climbing behind a big tower on the E ridge…
Next morning had us on the classic E ridge of the mighty Viso….I can’t recommend this enough…1200m of super interesting mountaineering…forget the Hornli, this is great rock, 1 peg and varied terrain for AD. The view from the Maritime Alps via Ceuse, Ecrins, Mt Blanc, Gran Paradiso to Monta Rosa was crystal clear and mesmerising…must read “In Monte Viso’s Horizon” now! We raced back down the fun normal route aided by good steps in the numerous snow sections, back over to the hut for coffee, then down the trail and back to Chamonix.
Next morning saw us appropriately climbing “La Ballade des Gens Heureux” on the Grand Perrons. As ever the wall delivered perfect rock, great scenery and wildlife on the way. A great route and recently highlighted in a few “best of” guides.
Like cloggy on a misty day….
Emosson from the Perrons chain..
We had a rest next day….
