Aiguille du Chardonnet


The Aiguille du Chardonnet is a mountain in the Mont Blanc massif in Haute-Savoie, France. It lies between the and the Argentière Glacier. The border with Switzerland runs just east of the summit. The East or Forbes Arete provides a popular and classic mountaineering route to the summit.
The summit was first climbed on 20 September 1865, by a party comprising R Fowler, M Balmat and M Ducroz. The first winter ascent was made some time prior to 1914.

Routes

  • West Ridge – traditionally regarded as the 'normal' and easiest route on the mountain, it is nowadays most commonly used as a means of descent. On the French adjectival climbing scale, is graded at AD−. First ascent P Thomas, J Imboden and J Lochmatter, 1 August 1879.
  • East Ridge – a classic alpine mountaineering route described as "one of the finest expeditions of its class anywhere in the Alps", and is combined with a descent of the west ridge. First ascent by L, H and T Aubert and M Crettez on 30 July 1899. Grade AD.
There are many other mountaineering routes on the Chardonnet. On the northern side these include the North Buttress ; North Couloir ; North West Couloir. On the south west face, Capucins Buttress Direct offers along and sustained climbing on rock at D+.

Access

The Aiguille du Chardonnet is most easily reached from the Albert Premier Hut, though the Trient Hut and Saleina Hut also give access.