Catalin Daniel Pobega

Fil à Plomb (TD-, III, 4+, M4, 700m)

Jul 04

catalin pobegaClimbing in Alps catalin pobega, climbing in Alps, Fil a Plomb, ice climbing Alps, silvia murgescu 2 Comments

After climbing Ginat, we still had some time for a one-day route. So, on 31 March 2012 we’ve aimed for “Le Fil à Plomb” in Rognon du Plan, see the topo here. It’s a 700 m ice route, in the Aig du Midi N Face.

We took the first cabin from Chamonix (7.30 am) up to the intermediate station- Plan de l’Aiguille (2340 m), passed the bergschrund at 8.50 am, climbed the route and exit in the notch by Rognon du Plan (3601 m) at 11.50 am.

The main reason for climbing fast (3 hours) was: We were worried about loosing the last cabin descend to Chamonix, as the next day we had an airplane back to Romania.

It was Saturday, and the route was very busy: 8 or 10 teams maybe. It felt like running a marathon, simul climbing all the way up except the crux (40 m ice at 85°-90°). See the film below:

Fil à Plomb Topo, the line of the route is in red (this photo is not my property):

In front of us many teams approaching Fil a Plomb:

Silvia on the left. From this point we rope up.

Passing the bergschrund…

Passing over 2 teams.

From this point, we could see the crux in front of us. 2 teams are already there.

Me starting to climb the crux. Not to bad at all, the route is heavily frequented, you only have to hook with your ice axes.

Looking down the crux pitch: ropes all over the place.

Exiting the ice fall…

That’s our destination… Aig du Midi.

Reaching another 2 teams from behind… up there we can see the exit.

The final push up on easy ground.

2 italian teams in the notch.

There is Silvia coming.

Me getting some sun. Photo by Silvia.

Silvia enjoying the view…

Rognon du Plan in the background.

A lot of people at Aig du Midi.

Enough with the rush. Now we have time to make picture and admire the view.

Silvia in this wonderful land.

Skiers on their way to Vallee Blanche.

Last steps to Aig du Midi. Beautiful places left behind…we feel a little bit sad for leaving.

But we hope to come back in the next vacation. 😛