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The Plateau du Trient is a large flattish area of glacier on the North Eastern side of the Mont Blanc massif.which is easily visible from height in Western Switzerland North of the Rhone valley
Zoomed shot from the Gizzi Furrgu pass - The peaks to its immediate L are the Chardonnet and the Argentiere - both over 3900mI first set foot on it in 1999 on a "heli-ski" tour where I met my Swiss guide Klaus for the first time. We landed by helicopter below the Aiguilles Dorées, skied down to the lowest point, skinned up to the col du Tour and skied down to Le Tour in the Chamonix valley
Map of the Plateau du TrientHelicopter landing below the Aiguille DoréesRoc de Plines - a striking lump of Chamonix granite Looking South up to the Fenêtre de Saleina which one traverse early on the "Haute Route"Back along our track from the Col du TourAt the Col looking across to the ChardonnetDown the descent couloir on our route to Le Tour---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several years later Donna and I decided to get Steve to take us up the 3540m Aiguille du Tour - a popular - but not difficult preparation peak for Mont Blanc starting from Champex over the border in Switzerland. A lift takes you up to La Breya at 2194m and then you walk up the Combe d'Orny first to the 2826m Cabin d'Orny where we stopped for a drink, and then on beside the glacier d'Orny to the Cabin du Trient at 3170m
The Grand Combin and Mont Vélan from La BreyaA rest in the Combe d'OrnyLooking across to the Clocher du Portalet - a rock climbing peak in the valley. The impressive main route goes up the obvious crack, but includes a couple of F7a pitches - way beyond my capabilities Cabin D'OrnyCabin du Trient - modern picture - it wasn't like that in 2005 From the hut balcony looking across to the Aiguille Dorées
Slightly further Right - evening clouds come down over the peaks We set off across the glacier early next morning - initially slightly downhill and then up - beneath the 3475m Aiguille Purtscheller towards the Aiguille du Tour.
Early morning photos on the glacierLooking E down to the Col d'OrnyThe Aiguilles Dorées againEarly morning sun on the Aiguille Purtscheller and the Aiguille du Tour Looking back againDonna and Steve heading up under the PurtschellerFrom just below the start of the rocks - 3519 m Aiguille de la Varappe ( highest of the Aig Dorées), 3412m Aiguille de la Fenêtre, and the Fenêtre de Saleina. Behind, the Argentiere and the ChardonnetI can't remember much about the rock climbing to the summit, except that it was easy - not much more than a grade III scramble - and there were a few other climbers around.
Views from the summitThe Aiguilles d' Argentiere, Chardonnet and Verte with Mont Blanc at the backZoomed view across the Glacier du Tour to the Verte with the Drus (in shadow) directly below the summit of Mont BlancLooking SW down the Plateau du Trient and through the Fenêtre on to the Glacier de SaleinaWe retraced our steps first to the hut and then back to the car at Champex. a nice trip