LAC BLANC, VIA THE 'LADDERS'

Couple of climbers on The Pinnacle

Aguille Verge & Grandes Jorasses

Lac Blanc & Aguille Rouge

A section of 'The Ladders' up to Lac Blanc

Lac Blanc & Aguille Verte

Mont Blanc & Chamonix Valley

The Ladders above Le Tour

Another very hot day with temperatures in the high twenties in the Chamonix Valley mid morning. Thankfully the Fohn wind was blowing and a welcome relief up high. Day off so had a wander up to Lac Blanc, a wonderful day trip from Argentiere. The finest way up to this iconic view point of the Mont Blanc range is via 'The Ladders' or in French 'Echelles'. The path up from Argentiere was very quiet and a welcome relief from the busier TMB routes. Soon you are out of the trees and staring up at the Aguillete de Argentiere, a popular climbing area with a prominent pinnacle. It was funny watching an female Ibex looking up at two folk climbing on the pinnacle. I have never not seen Ibex in this area, always a great bonus to the day. The Ladders are straightforward and not a Via Ferrata route but does give a bit of exposure. Soon you arrive up at Lac Blanc. Strange how its named 'White Lake' as you look into the emerald coloured water, I guess its named for the ligering snow and ice in Spring? A lovely and popular picnic spot as you gaze across with a backdrop of superb mountain views. A few folk swimming in the water today. A walk down and finish in Chamonix for me, not a cable car like most trippers who venture up here.