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Elevation: 8,195 ft
GPS: 45.90001, 6.92772
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 26,359 total · 253/month
Shared By: BradLipovsky on Sep 7, 2015 · Updates
Admins: Luc-514, David Riley, Bogdan Petre

Description Suggest change

Beautiful granite multipitch climbing above the Mer de Glace. The name translates to "the otherside of the Needles." Most people stay at the Refuge de l'Envers des Aiguilles, but camping is permitted if sufficiently far away from the hut.

Serious mountain boots (like waterproof with stiff sole for kicking steps and attaching serious crampons) are needed to access most routes in most conditions. Not many routes here can be accessed without crossing steep snow.

Crampons and ice axe often required to make the transition from snow to rock at the base of the route. Might need to make a couple of moves with crampon points on rock. Might need a _technical_ ice axe for "engineering" across the gap between hard snow and rock.
Crampons often required (or at least useful) for hiking access from the hut to the base of the route.

Reservations for sleeping places in the hut can be made through the website or Facebook page of the hut. Or any problem with that, or if it's the same or next day, just phone the guardian at the hut - (the guardian as of 2017 speaks good English). Do not just show up without advance notice.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Montenvers train station at the Mer de Glace, descend the trail to the glacier, follow sign to the “Refuge de L’Envers des Aguilles, descend ladders and hike up the Mer de Glace until the big bend in the glacier.  Follow the yellow dots and arrows, including a giant yellow square painted on the rock near the ladders that ascend to the climbing and refuge. Ascend ladders and follow the trail to the Refuge, which is not visible until well after the ladder ascent. Most of the climbing is reachable from this hut.

In good conditions, expect to take 3+ hours from Montenvers station to the Refuge with a heavy pack.

14 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Envers des Aiguilles

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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