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- Pointe Whymper
13,727 ft · Mont Blanc Group, France/Italy
Pointe Whymper
Pointe Whymper is a 13,727 ft peak in the Mont Blanc Group, France/Italy. The standard route is the Normal Route via Rocher du Reposoir: 12 mi, 8,432 ft of gain, AD+.
Pointe Whymper at a glance
- Elevation13,727 ft4,183 m
- RouteNormal Route via Rocher du ReposoirAD+
- Distance12 mi8,432 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul–Sep
- RangeMont Blanc GroupFrance/Italy
Climbing the Normal Route via Rocher du Reposoir
From Planpincieux in the Val Ferret above Courmayeur, Italy, approach the Boccalatte Hut and climb the normal route via the Rocher du Reposoir (AD+). Pointe Whymper is the second summit of the Grandes Jorasses and the one first reached by the normal route; Whymper's 1865 party topped out here. It is almost always taken in the same outing as Pointe Walker rather than climbed alone. The Whymper Couloir crossing below is the governing hazard, so cross before 10:00 or after sunset to dodge rockfall. It shares its distance and gain with Pointe Walker; log them once per trip.
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
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 Pointe Whymper
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Pointe Whymper
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Pointe Whymper?
Pointe Whymper is 13,727 feet (4,183 m) tall. It is in the Mont Blanc Group, France/Italy. It is also known as Grandes Jorasses, Grandes Jorasses (Pointe Whymper).
How does Pointe Whymper rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 13,727 feet, Pointe Whymper is the 36th highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Pointe Whymper?
The Normal Route via Rocher du Reposoir 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: 12 miles with 8,432 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Pointe Whymper?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Normal Route via Rocher du Reposoir, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Pointe Whymper 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 Pointe Whymper?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Normal Route via Rocher du Reposoir 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 Pointe Whymper?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Pointe Whymper reaches 13,727 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 Pointe Whymper?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Pointe Whymper 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