Modern mountaineering encompasses a variety of practices, with the Mont Blanc massif serving as its premier playground. Pure rock faces, large mixed and glacial faces, jagged ridges, and narrow gullies stand alongside classic routes accessible to a wider audience.
To reach these prestigious peaks via the most interesting routes, according to criteria established over the years or appearing more recently, this book presents a selection of 104 essential climbs, from historical classics to new lines opened in recent years, 104 itineraries in increasing order of difficulty.
The author covers the history and atmosphere of each route before providing all the necessary technical information, supplemented by photo overlays and detailed sketches. High-quality photography is given ample space.
The selection of routes was determined by the quality of the rock, the equipment, the aesthetics of the environment, the prestige of the summit, the enthusiasm they generate... Without forgetting the consequences of global warming, which today prevents access to routes that have become inaccessible or dangerous.
Modern practices are highlighted: gullies that only form in winter, high-altitude cliffs equipped for difficult free climbing, ridge traverses, and crossings of major summits... There is something for everyone. Alongside well-known names like the Cosmiques Ridge, the American Direct on Les Drus, the Whymper Couloir on Aiguille Verte, The Shroud and the Walker Spur on Les Jorasses, or the Kuffner Ridge on Mont Maudit, one can find, for example, Le Festin de Babeth on Les Ciseaux, No Siesta on Les Jorasses, or Ma Dalton on Aiguille du Midi.
