Fast & Furious, new rock climb up Aiguille de Chatelet, Mont Blanc

This is why, after having put up Carpe diem last year, we returned here to do some more exploring. We made our way up the valley in June, one of the first days of fine weather, but after having had trouble crossing the stream and ascending the snowfield we reached the base of the south face and realised that our planned lines had already been climbed.

We certainly didn't want to return home empty-handed and scurried east along the base to look for something else. After passing the starts of Velociraptor and Idrotecnica, and an attempt by Mr. Giotto (who isn't the famous Italian painter and architect but a friend and also the one who made the first ascent of Idrotecnica) we decided to turn our attention to a rising slab line which could lead to the exit ledge circa 300m higher.

Well, we had hoped for something longer but we started to climb nevertheless, setting off at 13:00, pleased to ascend these wonderful granite slabs. Day one ended like this, two new pitches in the bag and plenty of difficulties wading across the river seeing that 6 people had been turned back after failing to cross it. A single expletive echoed through the valley "the bridgeeee Armando" (Armando is the hut warden of Rifugio Monzino).

It took a further two days to finish the six pitches of Fast & Furious which, I believe, is a great little addition to what is already a beautiful crag with plenty of routes to suit everyone.


TOPO: Fast & Furious, Aiguille de Chatelet. Mont Blanc