From the Grand Col chair in les Arcs (or Arc 2000 if the station is closed) climb to the Grand Col hut (possible bivouak) then to the Col des Roches (see: http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Savoie/Les-Arcs-Col-Des-Roches). Note this route is on glaciated terrain with a danger of serac fall and crevasses.

The traverse from the col du Roches

From the summit traverse the ridge to the west to reach the base of the St Esprit. These north facing slopes are avalanche prone so be careful about the snow pack. Avoid the first couloir with steep convex slopes in any case.

Karine and Francois doing some rope work below the Aiguille

We didn’t climb to the true summit but descended from the col below the west shoulder. It is quite steep as you can see.

Rating: 4.3: 40 degrees, Exposure 1. Climb: Difficult
Date Skied: 24 April 2010
Precautions: You may want to rope up for the ridge traverse.