The Peutereygrat Integral is considered the longest ridge in the Alps when climbed in its entirety. It can be divided into several sections:
-
-
- South Ridge to Aguille Noire (continuous climbing up to 5c over 800 meters)
- Abseil descent at Aguille Noire (this 400-meter abseil descent has its fair share of horror stories. However, with the newly installed abseil stations, it is not as challenging as it used to be. If the rope gets stuck while pulling it, it can still pose a significant problem.)
- Traverse of the “Dames Anglaises” to the “Craveri Bivouac” (this section is technically not as difficult as the climbing at Aguille Noire, but the rock here is consistently unstable, making the climbing akin to “walking on eggshells” and frequently encountering vertical broken terrain).
- From the “Craveri Bivouac” to the summit of “Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey,” although the rock becomes somewhat firmer, it never truly solidifies. After the impressive snow ridge, there is another section of easy climbing to reach the summit of “Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey” before descending into the “Col de Peuterey.”
- From the “Col de Peuterey,” depending on conditions, one either ascends a steep couloir or traverses through loose rock to reach the “Grand Pilier d’Angle.” From there, an endless snow ridge leads to the highest peak in the Alps, the “Mont Blanc.” After 4,500 meters of climbing, the Peutereygrat Integral concludes here, and one can choose to descend via the Gouter Hut, Gornellahütte, or Cosmique Hut.
-