Aiguille de L'Index - AD, 4C

Route:

Aiguille de l'Index, South Arete – Chamonix

Category:

Alpine Rock Climbing

Route Gallery:

Aiguille d'Index
Aiguille d'Index

Route description:

One of the most popular routes in the Aiguille Rouge, this striking little summit is well viewed from the lift of the same name. After a walk up the scree and an easy scramble to get across the large grassy ledge, we gear up just before reaching the south arete.

The route itself leads up the buttress just to the right of the edge with the crux pitch right at the start. The rock is great to climb on, but a bit polished these days, a sure sign of a very popular route!

There's a mix of fixed gear and belays, but some cams and perhaps a wire or two is useful. The climbing is exposed in places, but nothing outrageous. After five or six pitches the summit is reached, which is a fine viewpoint for the entire Mont Blanc range.

From the summit, there's a mixture of down-scrambling and abseiling with a couple of options during the descent. The lift is soon reached, or there's some other climbing nearby....

Required experience/skill level:

 

Intermediate. The climbing is exposed in places and the abseils too. A warm up on one of the Chamonix valley crags beforehand is a better idea!

Length (in metres):

Difficulties are around 150m in length.

Time/duration:

3 - 4 hours, plus lift time

Starting point/base:

Chamonix - Les Praz and the Flegere lift

Maximum guide ratio:

1:2

Normal season:

The route is south facing, so comes into condition quickly, although snow can remain in the couloir for the approach and descent. Normally, Mid June - Mid September.

Links/ featured courses:

Rock Climbing

Comments/notes:

A great adventure, but on a sunny day mid season it can get pretty busy. Plenty of other options nearby if this is the case.

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