The first ascent of Aiguille de la République was done already in 1904 by Joseph Simond. To ascend the slightly leaning top-pillar, a top-rope was sent over from the Grand Charmoz by using a crossbow! At least that is one story. Lassoing the top was the way of ascending the peak until 1971, when it finally was equipped with bolts on the last slab. Today the technical 20m long slab is either aided (A0) or free climbed (6c+). There are several routes leading to the summit, the most popular are the Normal Route and République Bananière, the later being considerably harder.
At 3305mts the peak it self is easily spotted by far distance, throning high and independent at the side of its taller neighbor Grands Charmoz, 3445mts.
And of course, an obvious goal to be climbed!
With a 2 day weather spell, it was a perfect timing to make the go on this little adventure.
Next morning we took the first train up to Montanvers. And then headed of the ladders down and later up from Mer du Glace, a descent of almost 200mts just down from Montanvers these days!
Then the most "spectacular" hike up the Mer du place moraine, you can even find moss here now, up to the next ladder section towards refuge de l´Envers. But for Republique its possible to make a short cut and head direct towards glacier Trélaporte.
Safes an hour or two instead of passing the refuge it self.
Our plan was to head up and climb the first 12 pitches to a told good bivy spot. From where we could enjoy a nice summer night and then climb on to the summit next day. Should be a good plan.
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| Anna on the ladders |
The hike is easy and so is the route finding. With a good picture from the Piola topo its quite obvious where to start. And since it was my days of Anna was to be doing the guiding. I could just steep back and relax.
Since the last week had been super warm, hotter then ever measured before, our pack consisted much cool clothes and a bivysack. Light as possible. But of course I had packed with me the obvious "mid-summer beer cans" for the evening!
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| On the Merde du Glace, again! |
Everything worked out fine really, but it sure was much colder and windier than the forecast had promised. And when it finally started to rain just as we hit the start of the route, well it felt a bit...not perfect.
But with a;
-they can't be that wrong!
We agreed to start climbing anyhow and see what happens. If it continue we can choose to turn a round after pitch 6 or 7...
A decision we never need to make. The weather clears and we even get some sunny nice moments before the sun flower behind the south face of Republique, sending us back in the afternoon shadow.
But now with warmer winds.
After 8th pitches we reach the old bivouac de la Tour Rouge.
It is in ruins but there are still some boards but remains mentioned on maps.
It was planning to rebuild this historic bivouac, often cited by Frison-Roche. But it did not succeed the local contact with CAF died. It is still to be re-launch this project. Reviews for amateurs!
After the Rouge place the climbing goes more Piola style. With steep slabby slabs with spaced out bolts sections. Some are possible to avoid with regular crack climbing, which actually gives the route a more natural character as well. But some parts are just really enjoyable and still with the bolts just at the right place!
The last pitches up to our bivy runs out quick and at 17hours we are set and saddled for the evening. The heat is on and midsummer "fête" is coming up!
The next morning I am awaked by the void.
In a half violent dream I turn left just as I wake up and the sight is just bottomless. Far below is Mer du Glace slowly waking up as well. And in a far distance I hear some fake voices, but it must still be from my dream.
Still enjoying the warm air from our bivy bag I decide just to inhale the environment. Not in any need to ruch. There is only an other 13 pitches to go to the top. So still a lot of time, at only 05:50.
But some minutes later I again hear the noise, this time obvious yelling. I stand up listning and for sure there is people.
So nothing else to do then to wake up for the morning toilet and the upcoming show. Visualized together with breakfast, a piece of bread with a cup of cold espresso water, not to bad!
With out any stress we await the two Italien parties that are making progress up towards our spot. Who which we decide to let pass since they seems to be climbing in a steady pace and with light packs. Turns out to be 2 teams of guides/aspirants which will make the day a bit more interesting.
With the two teams ahead of us I chalk on for the days first pitch, at 7 a clock sharp. Just as planned.
The day starts with an excellent corner crack pitch, continuing up to the peak of de la Tour.
A short pendulum rappel down to the base of a platform with a short steep dihedre.
Then passing a section of loose stones over a couloir, which after it is just amazingly good climbing all the way to the very summit. Superb climbing on Cham granit!
At the last section there is a sign of the changing climate. Obvious signs with resent rockfall makes us wondering of how long this thing will be standing here. But at this time it feels mostly ok, just avoiding the most unstable parts when we wobble over to the last slab pitch, clockwise around the pillar.
And the las section, described as 6C+...well its a fight but finally we are well on the summit. And a true summit it is!!
I would just like to have been able to see the premier ascents, with the use of a crossbow to mantle the last section, that would be something.
A time for some pictures before the return, back down the normal route...and a aftsrclimb at the hotel du Montanvers
Equipment:
2x50m rope tail rope
Stoppers small set
Friends double of #0,75-#2, single #3
Aliens single blue, double green-red
QD´s We had 4 but a few more is maybe good.
The last pitches up to our bivy runs out quick and at 17hours we are set and saddled for the evening. The heat is on and midsummer "fête" is coming up!
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| Slab a la Piola! |
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| Midsummer party! |
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| Chilly bivy |
In a half violent dream I turn left just as I wake up and the sight is just bottomless. Far below is Mer du Glace slowly waking up as well. And in a far distance I hear some fake voices, but it must still be from my dream.
Still enjoying the warm air from our bivy bag I decide just to inhale the environment. Not in any need to ruch. There is only an other 13 pitches to go to the top. So still a lot of time, at only 05:50.
But some minutes later I again hear the noise, this time obvious yelling. I stand up listning and for sure there is people.
So nothing else to do then to wake up for the morning toilet and the upcoming show. Visualized together with breakfast, a piece of bread with a cup of cold espresso water, not to bad!
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| Pitch 13, the first of day 2 |
With the two teams ahead of us I chalk on for the days first pitch, at 7 a clock sharp. Just as planned.
The day starts with an excellent corner crack pitch, continuing up to the peak of de la Tour.
A short pendulum rappel down to the base of a platform with a short steep dihedre.
Then passing a section of loose stones over a couloir, which after it is just amazingly good climbing all the way to the very summit. Superb climbing on Cham granit!
At the last section there is a sign of the changing climate. Obvious signs with resent rockfall makes us wondering of how long this thing will be standing here. But at this time it feels mostly ok, just avoiding the most unstable parts when we wobble over to the last slab pitch, clockwise around the pillar.
And the las section, described as 6C+...well its a fight but finally we are well on the summit. And a true summit it is!!
I would just like to have been able to see the premier ascents, with the use of a crossbow to mantle the last section, that would be something.
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| Anna on the summit |
A time for some pictures before the return, back down the normal route...and a aftsrclimb at the hotel du Montanvers
Equipment:
2x50m rope tail rope
Stoppers small set
Friends double of #0,75-#2, single #3
Aliens single blue, double green-red
QD´s We had 4 but a few more is maybe good.
Descent through the normal route is the simplest and quickest option.
Descending the climbing route is nonetheless possible but inconvenient.
From the summit via the Normal route:
By combining rappels and scrambling, the descent is quite fast.
Many cairns on the route of descent as well.
1 short rappel then down climb to join the platform near the summit blocks.
One very airy rappel from a good anchor (50m) to a terrace under the obelisk.
A rappel until the breach and and go up left bank until a good relay (2 spits/25m).
A 25m rappel and then go west. Climb up easily to another relay on a belted blocks with a lot of straps. From there in two rappels one reaches the vire. Then cross to reach the couloir.
From the couloir continue down climbing combined with a number of 25m rappels. That brings you to the level of the old hut.
Arrive at the bottom of the couloir to find an oblique dihedral and lying (hidden) very easy to down climb (II). It is situated rather on the left bank of the couloir and leaves at the level of the gravel banks. It leads to a good terrace.
From the right edge of the terrace, descend 3-4m to find a belay. From there, 2 rappels and a little down climbing lead to a good ramp. From this ramp go down a little (20m) by pointing to a left hand (when facing the glacier) there is a bolted rappel.
Two final rappels back to the glacier.
Enverses des Aiguilles by Michel Piola, classic guide book from 2006, the best for that area.- Sommets du Mt Blanc by Jean-Louis Laroche and Florance Lelong, accurate descriptions and information as well as a great inspiration to climbing classics in the Mt Blanc massif
// Små utbrott av individuell storhet
