like it was a very nice climb! Nice TR....I would love to climb out there sometime...
phlipdascrip - Oct 20, 2009 1:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Sounds...
Yea it was nice, mentally relaxing. Chamonix is a great place to stay for a while and climb in the Mt Blanc range, and to get in shape before going for Mt Blanc.
Well done, it sounds like you had a great time, and that's the most important thing. I found a quite similar experience on my own traverse, two months ago (especially that bloody fake summit on the last slope...). And enjoying the summit solo is simply priceless!
phlipdascrip - Oct 20, 2009 6:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good job
Thanks, and very true words. I saw your TR, great report and stunning pictures!
I can just imagine being on top with a chilly breeze but warming rays of sunshine at the same time; so peaceful!! I need to get up there one of the coming years!
I really enjoyed your account Phil. I've climbed MB 5 times and will probably climb it again. 1st time via the Brenva in 1984 as you know & I recall a few wearying false summits on the summit cone. And then I traversed the mountain same route as you, but in reverse, on my 3rd ascent in 1989 - recall one or two hairy crevasses which would have put me off trying it solo. Well done you for pulling it off! My 5th & solo ascent via gouter was just 11 days before your ascent.
For my 6th ascent I'd like to have a go at the Aiguille Grises from the Val Veni on the Italian side. Would have had a go solo last year but was very disappointed to find the route was 'closed' due to refurbishment of the hut (which I wasn't going to use anyway!).
Thanks again for a great read.
Best wishes, Mark
Thanks Mark, much appreciated. The hairy terrain around the open crevasses on the 3 monts route is certainly easier in ascent than in descent, but still precarious enough.
Sounds like you're Mt Blanc addicted! I'd certainly climb it again too - plenty routes to choose from.
Hope we'll get to see more TRs of your upcoming ventures!
Phil
Really excellent informative write-up. Thanks. I am contemplating a solo summit of Blanc this season, and toying with the idea of the 3 Monts traverse instead of the 'typical' up-down via Gouter. Having read this, though, I think I'd be pushing the risks a little too far. Very little Alpine experience, but very fit running background and confident soloist in Scotland in winter. I'm sure Blanc is a different ballgame, though. Gouter route it is, I think!
albanberg - Oct 19, 2009 4:17 pm - Voted 10/10
Sounds...like it was a very nice climb! Nice TR....I would love to climb out there sometime...
phlipdascrip - Oct 20, 2009 1:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Sounds...Yea it was nice, mentally relaxing. Chamonix is a great place to stay for a while and climb in the Mt Blanc range, and to get in shape before going for Mt Blanc.
nattfodd - Oct 20, 2009 3:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Good jobWell done, it sounds like you had a great time, and that's the most important thing. I found a quite similar experience on my own traverse, two months ago (especially that bloody fake summit on the last slope...). And enjoying the summit solo is simply priceless!
phlipdascrip - Oct 20, 2009 6:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good jobThanks, and very true words. I saw your TR, great report and stunning pictures!
Luciano136 - Oct 22, 2009 1:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Wonderful!I can just imagine being on top with a chilly breeze but warming rays of sunshine at the same time; so peaceful!! I need to get up there one of the coming years!
markhallam - Sep 22, 2010 3:48 pm - Voted 10/10
Great climb, absorbing TR - thanks!I really enjoyed your account Phil. I've climbed MB 5 times and will probably climb it again. 1st time via the Brenva in 1984 as you know & I recall a few wearying false summits on the summit cone. And then I traversed the mountain same route as you, but in reverse, on my 3rd ascent in 1989 - recall one or two hairy crevasses which would have put me off trying it solo. Well done you for pulling it off! My 5th & solo ascent via gouter was just 11 days before your ascent.
For my 6th ascent I'd like to have a go at the Aiguille Grises from the Val Veni on the Italian side. Would have had a go solo last year but was very disappointed to find the route was 'closed' due to refurbishment of the hut (which I wasn't going to use anyway!).
Thanks again for a great read.
Best wishes, Mark
phlipdascrip - Sep 23, 2010 5:43 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great climb, absorbing TR - thanks!Thanks Mark, much appreciated. The hairy terrain around the open crevasses on the 3 monts route is certainly easier in ascent than in descent, but still precarious enough.
Sounds like you're Mt Blanc addicted! I'd certainly climb it again too - plenty routes to choose from.
Hope we'll get to see more TRs of your upcoming ventures!
Phil
alpinpete - Oct 23, 2010 2:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Congratson the solo traverse -- there is something beautiful about the simplicity -- and thanks for the enjoyable narrative.
phlipdascrip - Oct 23, 2010 8:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: CongratsThanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
english_alpinist - Mar 25, 2015 8:15 pm - Hasn't voted
ExcellentReally excellent informative write-up. Thanks. I am contemplating a solo summit of Blanc this season, and toying with the idea of the 3 Monts traverse instead of the 'typical' up-down via Gouter. Having read this, though, I think I'd be pushing the risks a little too far. Very little Alpine experience, but very fit running background and confident soloist in Scotland in winter. I'm sure Blanc is a different ballgame, though. Gouter route it is, I think!