- …
- Yak
- Quests
- Alpine 4,000ers
- Les Droites
13,123 ft · Mont Blanc Group, France
Les Droites
Les Droites is a 13,123 ft peak in the Mont Blanc Group, France. The standard route is the Normal Route via South Face: 14 mi, 7,800 ft of gain, D.
Les Droites at a glance
- Elevation13,123 ft3,999 m
- RouteNormal Route via South FaceD
- Distance14 mi7,800 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysExtreme effort
- SeasonJul–Sep
- RangeMont Blanc GroupFrance
Climbing the Normal Route via South Face
From Chamonix, France, ride the Montenvers railway and approach the Couvercle or Argentiere huts, then climb the south face and east summit (D), one of the more serious 4,000ers even by its easiest line. There is sustained mixed ground and no soft option anywhere on the mountain, so it rewards experienced parties only and has no reputation for leniency. The north face is a legendary hard ice climb far beyond the normal route. Watch rockfall and cornices on the exposed ground, and start early. 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
- Knife-edge ridge
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Cornices
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High altitude
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Remote location
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Altitude sickness
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Les Droites
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Les Droites
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Les Droites?
Les Droites is 13,123 feet (3,999 m) tall. It is in the Mont Blanc Group, France.
How does Les Droites rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 13,123 feet, Les Droites is the 82nd highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Les Droites?
The Normal Route via South Face is graded D on the alpine scale, meaning difficult: serious, sustained climbing on snow, ice or rock. Yak rates the overall effort extreme: 14 miles with 7,800 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Les Droites?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Normal Route via South Face, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Les Droites dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Les Droites?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Normal Route via South Face 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 Les Droites?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Les Droites reaches 13,123 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 Les Droites?
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 Les Droites 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