The Aiguille Verte is an iconic mountain of the Mont Blanc Massif and it is always a pleasure to climb it. The Couloir Couturier is a classic and this year it has been in good conditions for a while, so Morgan and I decided to climb it up and down as training.
The last serac below the top of Aiguille Verte (© P. Gatta)
In winter the approach with skis is quick, around 30 minutes from the Grands Montets: ski down around 150m on Rognon Glacier and traverse below the Petite Verte and Cordier Couloir, paying attention to the big seracs above.
Approach from Grands Montets at skis (© P. Gatta)
Go slightly up to reach the bergschrund. This year we passed it on the right side.
Passing the bergschrund of Couturier (© M. Baduel)
Climb the Couturier Couloir, 850m at 52° average over and 55° maximum. There was some black ice sections in the first third.
Aiguille Verte: Couloir Couturier (© M. Baduel)
At the end of the Couloir, go to the right side and the climb the summit ice cap to the top (some crevasses and seracs).
The final climb of Couturier Couloir (© M. Baduel)
We climbed down the Couturier Couloir, another option is to climb down the Whymper Couloir in the South face.
Mont Blanc Massif from the top of Aiguille Verte (© P. Gatta)