Rockfax Description
II, 300m, 2 hours. A mini-classic and a good place to start for those looking to get fast at snow climbing and moving together.
Cross the bergschrund and climb the couloir directly to the col where it meets the ArĂȘte de la Table and follow this to the summit. The angle varies from 40 to 50 degrees but, despite the relatively straightforward climbing, good conditions are required. In dry conditions the route takes rockfall and the snow is hard going. Rockfall can be an issue at all times and staying on the left of the couloir makes sense in order to minimise risk. There may be an area of easy scrambling in the mid section of the couloir due to glacial recession, follow the easiest ground.
Descent - Descend the East Face - p.69.
The couloir has been 'straightlined' on skis. The second time this was done saw Dominique Potard and Jean-Paul Lassale clock a speed of 150kph as they crossed the bergschrund. How this was measured, and how accurate it is, could be debated but their bravery/madness cannot! © Rockfax
UKC Logbook Description
Table Couloir is climbed for 300m from the Glacier du Tour to the summit ridge, which is followed for around 200m to the South Summit, weaving in and out of several small gendarmes and horns. The ridge is significantly harder than PD after heavy snowfall.
Rosie's Broken Alpine Dreaming , Alpine Progression , BMC - Easier Classics in the Mont Blanc Range
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Grade: PD ***
(Mont Blanc)