Dent Blanche Delight
The good weather continues and provided a perfect day on one of the best ridges in the Alps. Our trip over three days succeeded on the South Ridge of the Dent Blanche. In this photo below it is the easier angled right hand crest.
One day approach, another for the climb over ten hours in total, and another for descent from the hut. I prefer to take the extra hut night in descent on this route, rather than continue for another three and half hours after a long day. This strategy also allows for a more leisurely climb, in the knowledge that a restful evening will follow the ascent. Unfortunately the hut had run out of beer!
Allow six hours for the hut walk. The hut is located on the extreme right of this photo, on a rocky ridge, close to the glacier.
An alpine trough full of icy water working wonders on aching knees. Just a pity I could not have taken it up to the hut, another three to four hours away. If ice baths work for Paula Radcliffe, it is worth a try, plus of course a double-dose of Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Calcium. Keep on truckin!
The Dent Blanche hut is often favoured by colourful sunsets.
Surrounded by magnificent views and classic alpine ridges and face climbs.
Early morning about an hour or so from the hut.
Same location as the last photo in descent. This icy and exposed traverse requires sound and confident footwork under the current icy conditions, late in the season.
The lower easy ridge section.
Approaching the Grand Gendarme. This feature is more often avoided by a flanking move left off of the main ridge.
Traversing on to the west side to outflank the Grande Gendarme.
Perfect, dry slabs of sound rock, high on the mountain. The Dent Blanche is an exceptional viewpoint, maintaining a central position amongst many 4000 metre peaks.
Matterhorn with Hornli Ridge on the left and to its right the North Face, Zmutt Ridge and Italian Ridge.
Dent Herens North side from below the Dent Blanche hut.
Weisshorn – Zinal Rothorn and Nadelgrat beyond.
Monte Rosa massif.
Well done Jerry.