250m, 7 pitches.

Rockfax Description
II, 185m. A fine, mid-grade day out in wonderful alpine scenery.
1) 5b, 20m. Follow the crack and exit it via a tricky move right and continue to a ledge.
2) 5a, 20m. Move up a couple of metres then make a 5m traverse left to climb a crack on the ridge crest which leads to a ledge under a roof.
3) 4c, 45m. Go straight up and pass rightwards around a small overhang. Continue up a short corner and climb easy, slabby ground to a large ledge on the ridge crest.
4) 3c, 40m. Easy ground on the ridge crest to another ledge.
5) 3c, 20m. More easy ground. Pitches 4 and 5 could be linked by a competent team moving together for a few metres.
6) 5a, 25m. Climb the superb crack straight above the belay, passing a couple of pegs on the way.
7) 4c, 15m. Step right and climb the small rocky pinnacle. Step down off it and then re-climb to the summit of the Génépi.
Descent - Abseil down Mort de Rire. © Rockfax

UKC Logbook Description
The classic of the sector, pleasing and varied, on a high mountain cliff with just a few pegs but easy to protect. The first two pitches are reasonably sustained at 5a/b. The last two pitches are more impressive than difficult, with a airy « râteau de chèvre”, (flake of rock used for the hands with the feet in opposition.)
Approach15 min
From the hut follow the water pipe. Do not go towards the moraine but climb up amongst the boulders, keeping to the left at the end, to reach to foot of the face (to the E of the Aiguille du Refuge).
Start at a crack on the left of the face , directly beneath a little overhang.
Route
P1 40m 5a crack, 1 move of 5b to get past the corner (to the right), belay on a ledge
P2 40m 4c traverse 5 à 6m to the left then climb a crack, 5a, belay on a terrace under a roof
P3 40m 4c, Go 2 m to the right then straight up, (passing to the right of the overhang), belay on a ledge
P4 >50m 3, easy steps, belay on a ledge behind a large boulder ; junction with the route "Un éclat de rire"
P5 50m 5a the obvious crack, airy, possible belay at mid height (2 pegs), otherwise bolt belay on a ledge
P6 20m 4a Hand traverse the flake (« râteau de chèvre”), get behind it and descend to a ledge and belay
Descent30 min
• Abseil 25m on the N side to a gap, then by the ledges on the side facing the Améthystes to regain the foot of the face.
• Escape possible from the 6th belay by 2 abseils down the E face, then ledges. This brings you down, 10m to the right of the start.

Ticklists

Escalades Choisies Mont-Blanc Aiguilles Rouges (60 Routes 4 to 6a+) , Alps 2023 , Top quality Alps under 4000m , BMC - Easier Classics in the Mont Blanc Range , Master’s Goals

Feedback

User Date Notes
fuzzysheep01 17 Aug, 2019 Show βeta
βeta: You can do two 60m abs from the col between the two top pinnacles. You could go from the top of the second pinnacle, but the only way off is via a worn sling and maillon - I downclimbed back to the better ab point.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: You can do two 60m abs from the col between the two top pinnacles. You could go from the top of the second pinnacle, but the only way off is via a worn sling and maillon - I downclimbed back to the better ab point.

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Voting
High D+
Mid D+
Low D+
High D
Mid D
Low D
High D-
Mid D-
Low D-
Votes cast 5
High 5c
Mid 5c
Low 5c
High 5b
Mid 5b
Low 5b
High 5a
Mid 5a
Low 5a
Votes cast 1
Votes cast 8
Style of Ascent
Alt Leads
Lead
Followed
Not Set
Onsighted
DNF
Not Set
Route of Interest
Central Spur

Grade: D ***
(Les Courtes)

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