Mont Aiguille
A joyful ascent of Mont Aiguille on a beautiful summer day!
With David, Michel, Nicole, Alban, Gilbert, Arnaud, Ludo & Jérôme
These two friendly tribes are guided by David and me for a day in the Vercors, a challenge for Nicole and a family discovery for Gilbert's sons.
Climbed in 1492 by Antoine de Ville and his companions, the first ascent of this limestone giant marks a moment in the history of mountaineering as the beginning of "useless" ascents, that is, with no aim other than reaching the summit.
Gilbert has already climbed this beautiful normal route and wants his sons to discover it. Michel, for his part, has convinced his wife Nicole and their son Alban to join him in the adventure. While all the boys in the group approach the day with manly ease, the same cannot be said for Nicole, who keeps going over an anxious vision of the imminent ascent.
At the foot of the wall, Nicole is definitely up against it, while the males brag at the idea of a good dose of vertigo.
Nicole gains confidence in us, then in herself, and off we go for a delightful day on this clever route that outwits the difficulties with great elegance. Alban, at ease, flies up the climbing with the ease of the best climber in the Tour de France ;-)
Once past the Meules passage, we reach the final chimneys, which suddenly open onto the soothing, bucolic flatness of the summit plateau. A flowery enchantment where it is good to take your time before diving into the descent!
After a picnic lulled by swirls of cloud, we start back, and inevitably comes the long 50m abseil Nicole has dreaded so much. But the Vercors magic works and her demons fly away!
Quite simply, everyone slides down the spider's thread to finally reach the fine scree.
Thank you all for this cheerful day!
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