Thu, 22 January 2015
Vertical Climbed: 800 meters (2,625 feet)
Vertical Descended: 2,000 meters
Rating: 3.1
Descent to the glacier d'Argentière
From the col des Grands Montets ski down to the glacier d'Argentière. Start on the "Point de vue" ski piste and shorly leave it to the right do ski down the glacier des Rognons towards the NE and towards the glacier d'Argentière. This is a classic off piste, heavily crevassed in places, in general it is access via a gap in the ropes with a warning sign. Pass the close to the Rognon at 3000m then to the south of the Rognons moraine. Traverse to the right to reach the glacier d'Argentière. Cross the glacier to right the slopes on the right bankof the glacier du Chardonnet under the Straton ridge
Climb
Climb a short, steep slope, (crampons) then traverse to the left to cross the moraine to reach the the Chardonnet glacier. With good snow cover you can climb the slopes under the glacier following the line on the IGN map. Climb the glacier on the left bank then come back to the center when the slope slackens then reach the cole by a final traverse to the right.
Descent
Descend by the same route or by the steeper right bank of the glacier. At the base of the Chardonnet traverse the Argentière glacier to the left bank to reach the off piste of the Grands Montets. Descend via the left bank of the glacier (crevasses) and finally leave the glacier at 2300 m above a serac zone. If snow cover is poor follow the "Pierre à Ric" piste.
Comments on route: Be careful of avalanche control work on the Grands Montets ski area.
Access: Grands Montets ski lifts.
Equipment: Crampons, Glacier rescue kit
Country: France Area: Mont-Blanc Trailhead: Grands Montets