Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 45.89597°N / 6.88178°E |
Elevation: | 10472 ft / 3192 m |
One of Chamonix Aiguilles' most frequented summits. First ascended in 1906 by G. Liegard, R. O'Gorman, J. Couttetand, and J. Ravanel. Looking up from Chamonix, you can't help but notice this aiguille standing like a pawn in front of the Pelerins. At some point while taking the lift up to the Aiguille du Midi, you look off to your left and see this elegant piece of granite and make a mental note to give it a look next time you want to do a one day route while the higher objectives are socked in. Why wait any longer? The Aiguille du Peigne (The Comb Needle - since the summit is shaped like a comb) features numerous routes for a variety of skill levels side. Most routes dry out quickly after poor weather. See the map under the overview photos for more details on the approach.
Its an easy train ride to Chamonix since there are direct trains from Paris, Geneva, and several major cities. If you take the train from Geneva to Chamonix, beware that the Geneva train station is *not* the central station. You need to cross half the city to get to a small (grass overgrown) station from where the train to Chamonix departs (thanks to RBI for this key tip). There is a station in central Chamonix and everything is within easy walking distanced. Your starting point for most climbs will be cable cars and/or the Montenvers mountain train. Public transportation is practical in the Chamonix Valley. If you have a car, it is quite difficult to park downtown due to tourists.
Here are some photos of the kind of climbing you can expect on "the comb." - - - - - - - - -
The Peigne can be in good shape most of the year but most ascents are made during the April-September timeframe.
This is a one day peak so I've listed valley camping and hostel options. Camping Close to the train station: Grass, no frills. Like a United Nations of climbers spot: Les Arolles T: +33 (0)4 50 53 14 30 F: +33 (0)4 50 53 14 30 Hostel/Gite situation on west end of town (with built-in pub) : (Mainly English speaking crowd) Run by Irishman from Wessex: Le Vagabond 365, av Ravanel le Rouge 74400 Chamonix T: +33 (0)4 50 53 15 43 F: +33 (0)4 50 53 15 43 www.gitevagabond.com Hostel/Gite 500m east of Gare SNCF (Train station) (Mainly continental european crowd): Le Chamoniard Volant 45 route de la Frasse 74400 Chamonix T: +33 (0)4 50 53 14 09 F: +33 (0)4 50 53 23 25 www.chamoniard.com
The Peigne stays pretty dry through most of the year but most climb it from April-October. Check at the Office du Haute Montagne by the church downtown for the latest beta on route conditions.
Just watch out for the marmot poop before you pick a spot to lay down.
mountaindog - Mar 1, 2004 4:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks! Already done.
Chris
Rick B - Mar 6, 2004 6:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentIf you take the train from Geneva to Chamonix, beware that the Geneva train station is *not* the central station. You need to cross half the city to get to a small (grass overgrown) station from where the train to Chamonix departs. At least, this was the situation 3 years ago.
This extra time you need to get from one station to another caused me to miss the last train of the day *twice* (on the way to Chamonix, and on the way back). Missed it by mere minutes both times, while I ran the traject with 15 kgs on my back. I can ensure you, I wasn't very happy. I spent the next year cursing swiss trains... Had to stay in a hotel in Geneva.
Maybe you can make it when you take the bus, but I didn't have swiss money.
mountaindog - Mar 14, 2004 11:06 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks RBI, your info has been included in the "Getting There" section.
Chris
mountaindog - Feb 7, 2004 11:38 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentIts an easy train ride to Chamonix since there are direct trains from Paris, Geneva, and several major cities. There is a station in central Chamonix and everything is within easy walking distanced.
Your starting point for most climbs will be cable cars and/or the Montenvers mountain train. Public transportation is practical in the Chamonix Valley. If you have a car, it is quite difficult to park downtown due to tourists.
mountaindog - Mar 1, 2004 4:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks! Already done.
Chris
Rick B - Mar 6, 2004 6:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentIf you take the train from Geneva to Chamonix, beware that the Geneva train station is *not* the central station. You need to cross half the city to get to a small (grass overgrown) station from where the train to Chamonix departs. At least, this was the situation 3 years ago.
This extra time you need to get from one station to another caused me to miss the last train of the day *twice* (on the way to Chamonix, and on the way back). Missed it by mere minutes both times, while I ran the traject with 15 kgs on my back. I can ensure you, I wasn't very happy. I spent the next year cursing swiss trains... Had to stay in a hotel in Geneva.
Maybe you can make it when you take the bus, but I didn't have swiss money.
mountaindog - Mar 14, 2004 11:06 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks RBI, your info has been included in the "Getting There" section.
Chris