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- Aiguille Verte
13,524 ft · Mont Blanc Group, France
Aiguille Verte
Aiguille Verte is a 13,524 ft peak in the Mont Blanc Group, France. The standard route is the Whymper Couloir: 13 mi, 7,247 ft of gain, AD.
Aiguille Verte at a glance
- Elevation13,524 ft4,122 m
- RouteWhymper CouloirAD
- Distance13 mi7,247 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun–Jul
- RangeMont Blanc GroupFrance
Climbing the Whymper Couloir
From Chamonix, France, ride the Montenvers railway and approach the Couvercle Hut, then climb the Whymper Couloir (AD) on a magnificent and unforgiving mountain with no genuinely easy route. The couloir is exposed to sustained rockfall once the sun hits, and the bergschrund has become progressively harder to cross as the glacier recedes; recent seasons have seen parties turned back at the rimaye. This is strictly an early-season, cold-conditions, pre-dawn objective, so pick your window carefully and start in the dark. Budget 2 to 3 days for the outing.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (40–55 L)
Mountaineering Boots
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Carabiners
Belay Device- Prusik Cord
- Ice Screw
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Glacier Glasses
Sunscreen
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Water
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Heavyweight Gloves
Goggles
Offline Maps
Power Bank
Whistle
Approach Shoes- Slings
- Nut Tool
- Cams / Nuts
- Ice Screw
What to watch for
- Technical climbing
- Steep exposure
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High altitude
- Altitude sickness
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Aiguille Verte
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Aiguille Verte
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Aiguille Verte?
Aiguille Verte is 13,524 feet (4,122 m) tall. It is in the Mont Blanc Group, France.
How does Aiguille Verte rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 13,524 feet, Aiguille Verte is the 45th highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Aiguille Verte?
The Whymper Couloir is graded AD on the alpine scale, meaning fairly difficult: sustained snow, ice or rock that needs real climbing skills. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 13 miles with 7,247 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Aiguille Verte?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Whymper Couloir, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Aiguille Verte dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Aiguille Verte?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Whymper Couloir for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Aiguille Verte?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Aiguille Verte reaches 13,524 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Aiguille Verte?
The usual climbing window is June to July. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Aiguille Verte with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list