Eole Danza per Noi

Mont Blanc Massif/Wallis, Switzerland, Europe

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Aiguille de la Varappe
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Eole Danza per Noi

Page Type:	Route
Lat/Lon:	45.98289°N / 7.03288°E
Route Type:	Mountaineering, Sport Climbing
Season:	Summer
Time Required:	A long day
Rock Difficulty:	5.10a (YDS)
Difficulty:	TD sup., UIAA VI+
Number of Pitches:	11
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Overview

Eole danza per noi (Aiguille de la Varappe)

Aiguille de la Varappe is an awesome peak lying on the Swiss side of Mont Blanc group. It's the Westernmost summit and the highest one of Aiguilles Dorées, a rocky castle counting various summits. On the stunning South-West face of Aiguille de La Varappe it runs a superb route with first-class red protogyn granite, overlooking a beautiful glacial setting.

It's "Eole danza per noi", a challenging climb sustained on 5c/6a and partially equipped (all belays and some bolts along the route).

Saleina Glacier and Aiguille d'Argentiere

Getting There

Approach to the Cabane d'Orny

From Champex 1466 m, a small village near Martigny, reach La Breya 2188 m by chair-lift. From here a good trail leads to a wide grassy terrace. Cross the flat terrace, then rise up along a steep slope. Follow the upper moraine, finally reaching the Cabane d’Orny SAC. The hut is situated in a very nice position, overlooking Orny Glacier and Petit Clocher du Portalet and near a small lake (Lac de l’Ancient Cabane).

Approach to Aiguille de la Varappe

Aiguille de la Varappe - Skirting the wall

Aiguille de la Varappe, red pillars — Red pillars

From the Cabane d’Orny 2831 m follow the trail to the Cabane du Trient, reaching the Orny Glacier and then the Orny Col . From here gain the flat Trient Glacier (Plateau du Trient) and cross the glacier walking towards SW. After having rounded a rocky ridge. enter the glacier and gain a small saddle named Fenêtre de Saleina. Descend on the opposite side of the saddle heading to the SW face of the Aiguille de la Varappe; you must skirt the SW face near the base of the rocks. To find “Eolo” starting point you have to look to an obvious triangular pillar, then you must reach a sloping corner situated about 50 mt. on the right hand side of the line starting from the top of the triangular pillar. “Eolo” is the first route you meet skirting the face, after reaching a rocky saddle named Fenetre de Suzanne (about 2 hours and a half from Cabane d’Orny).

Eole Danza per Noi report

Mont Blanc red granite on Aiguille de la Varappe

Eole Danza per Noi

Summit altitude: m. 3515
Difficulty: TD sup., F6a
Equipment: some bolts, friends are needed to complete the equipment along the pitches
Climbing length: 380 m.
Exposure: SW
First ascent: Michel Piola, Laurent Monnet, Pierre Gravante 1990
Starting point: Champex mt. 1466 (parking); chair – lift to La Breya (8.00-17.00)

Eole Danza per Noi report (French Scale)

L1 – Climb the sloping corner, 4b
L2 - Towards right near some big flakes, then up along a cracks’system to a good stance over a terrace. 5c
L3 - Climb slantways to left. 5c
L4 – Over the top of a small tower, then down in the opposite side. 6a
L5 - Up the crack in the right hand side of the ridge, leading to a good stance. 6a

Aiguille de la Varappe: unmistakable corner on Eole

L6 - Climb a superb rubbish corner 6a L7 – Towards left then straightly to reach a corner. 6a
L8 – Straight up over the belay to gain the corner; up along the corner, then climb a pillar 6a
L9 – Move towards left, then climb some cracks. 6a
L10 – A great tiring pitch up along the unmistakable corner situated left from the main ridge. 6a
L11 – Towards right under a roof, surrounding an edge and gaining the top. 6a

Descent: abseiling the route. The first two abseils are not lying along the route, but directly from the summit on the pillar edge. After the first four abseils you’re gaining a gully; scramble down the gully towards left – facing out – reaching the first belay of the route “C’est Mozart qu’on assassinè”. Final 25 m. abseil.

Essential Gear

Rope 2 x 50, helmet, nuts 3-9, friends 1-3, ten express, axe and crampons essential for the approach along the glacier.

Huts

Cabane d'Orny

- Cabane d'Orny m. 2831

Owner: SAC (Swiss Alpine Club “Les Diablerets”)
Situation: Swiss side of Mont Blanc Group - Left shore of Orny Glacier, between two little lakes
Open: open all year long, guarded in summer from 10.06 to 20.09
Size: 90 persons + 30 in the winter-shelter
Guardians: Patricia and Raymond Angeloz - Pradurand 1991 Salins
Hut's phone : 0041 277831887

- Cabane du Trient m. 3170

SAC (Swiss Alpine Club “Les Diablerets”)
Situation: Swiss side of Mont Blanc Group - Col d'Orny
Open: from middle March to middle May and from middle June to middle September
Size: 140 persons + 40 in the winter-shelter
Guardians: Mélanie & Olivier Genet Rte du Coteau 29 1927 Chemin-Dessus
Hut's phone : 0041 277831438