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Mixed Pointe Lachenal traverse
Duration:
1 day
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Technical Level 1: For regular hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route is not very steep and is well-marked, or the activity may also take place in beginner-friendly areas.
Technical Level 2: For experienced hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route includes short, steep sections and may involve scree or rocky ridges, requiring surefootedness.
Technical Level 3: For occasional mountaineers (2 to 5 recent outings). The route includes steep sections requiring prior climbing experience at a French grade 3c level and/or mastery of crampons and ice axe use.
Technical Level 4: For regular mountaineers (5 to 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing at a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and an ice axe, as well as basic roping and belaying techniques.
Technical Level 5: For experienced mountaineers (more than 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing above a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and ice axes for ice climbing, as well as advanced roping and belaying techniques.
Technique:
General information
Starting from the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m), the Pointe Lachenal Traverse is a beautiful mixed ridge route set in the unique environment of the Vallée Blanche. After walking down the Aiguille du Midi ridge, the crossing of the Col du Midi glacier plateau leads to the foot of the first summit (3,613 m), reached via a sustained 40° snow slope followed by an airy rocky ridge. Two abseils (20 m and 10 m) lead to a snowy saddle, then a rocky step (French grade 3 max) allows you to bypass the second summit (3,640 m), finally reached via another section of mixed rock and snow.
The traverse, now mostly on snow, continues towards the foothills of Mont Blanc du Tacul before returning to the glacier plateau. The way back to the Aiguille du Midi follows the same route as the approach. With its variety and length, the Pointe Lachenal Traverse offers a genuine high-mountain experience, just a stone’s throw from the Aiguille du Midi. Given the steepness of the snow slopes, this route is best suited to climbers with previous crampon experience.
Private booking
A private formula reflects the traditional relationship that binds a mountain guide to his or her clients. It allows you to be alone or with your own group, accompanied by your guide who will adapt the outing to your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal option to realise your projects, as it guarantees maximum comfort and flexibility.
Dates for private booking
See on-line booking
Meeting point for private booking
Your guide will call you the evening before your trip around 6.30pm to organise the meeting time and place
Guiding policy for private booking
1 to 2 people per guide. From 15 years accompanied by a parent
2026 prices for private booking
- 1 person : 450€
- 2 people : 490€
✅ The price includes
- mountain guiding services
❌ The price does not include
- technical equipment
- lift passes
- transfer
- picnic & snacks
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. For further information, please contact our advisor.
Duration
4 to 5 hours, given as an indication
Location
In the Vallée Blanche basin, starting from the Aiguille du Midi lift
Ability level
The Pointe lachenal traverse is aimed at people wanting to discover a mixed ridge route
⚠️ Previous crampon experience required
Formality
Individual liability insurance required, covering skiing without restriction of area or altitude, including assistance, search, rescue, and repatriation
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend that you take special care in choosing your equipment because it contributes greatly to the success of your trip. As alpine conditions can be highly variable with sudden changes, it can get very cold in altitude, it is preferable to have numerous layers rather than one thick piece of clothing.
Equipment
- Back pack
- Mountaineering boots with a rigid sole
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Harness
- Helmet
- Gaters if your trousers require them
Clothing
- Suitable clothing adapted to mountaineering
- Windproof jacket
- A pair of thin gloves
- A pair of warm gloves
Accessories
- Sunglasses catagory 4
- Suncream
- Gourde at least 1.5L
- Picnic, snacks
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Millet (excluding crampons, ice axes and helmet), Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Booking
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Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 4 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 4 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 0.4€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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