The Cosmiques Arete is a spectacular climb that starts and ends at the Aiguille du Midi. It is understandably one of the most popular alpine routes in the Chamonix Valley and is an unmissable experience for any climber.
The Cosmiques ridge offers varied climbing on snow, rock and ice - it is not too difficult but remains interesting. Stepping out through the ice tunnel at the top of the Aiguille du Midi, you will traverse an extremely exposed ridge line with breathtaking views in all directions. There are some challenging sections but all are short and anyone with previous climbing experience should not find them to be too much trouble.
Climbing the Arete des Cosmiques is a fantastic day in one of the most spectacular parts of the Mont Blanc Massif - you'll cross glacial terrain, climb up granite slabs and scale icy couloirs surrounded by towering peaks. The Cosmiques Ridge is a superb varied route which is doable by relative beginners to Alpine climbing, yet is interesting enough to satisfy experienced climbers.
It is possible to climb the ridge year round depending on snow conditions, the most popular time of year to climb the Cosmiques Arete is between June and September.
If you would like to gain some experience before climbing the Arete des Cosmiques we recommend that you take part in either our Chamonix Granite Climbing Weekend or our Introduction to Alpine Climbing Week. Alternatively, you can book a private mountain guide for personal tuition for as many days as you like.
The Cosmiques Arete climb is graded AD with passages of up to PD+. All the cruxes are short leaving this climb as a perfect introduction route to Alpine mixed climbing. You should have previous climbing experience as this route requires good abseiling and other rope skills. If you are unsure of your ability, please feel free to contact us for advice.
Climbing the Cosmiques Ridge takes about half a day, you will start early in the morning and finish early in the afternoon. We take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to the summit and then start the approach which is a short 20-30 minute glacier hike, the route finishes back at the Aiguille du Midi lift station from where we will return to Chamonix.
UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide - a fully qualified and experienced Chamex guide will accompany you for the duration of your trip.
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Please see the "Equipment" tab to find out what you will need. Anything that you do not already have can be rented here in Chamonix, if there is anything you need then please contact us and we will be happy to organise it for you.
For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your persoanlised kit list.
We strongly recommend that you take our Search and Rescue mountain insurance - we can organise this for you on request.
The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.
We will advise you on which lift passes you will need prior to your trip. If lift passes are required we can preorder them for you on request.
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
You will meet your mountain guide at the Chamonix Experience office in the morning. Your guide will check that you have the right equipment and then you will take the lift to the Aiguille du Midi, It is best to buy your lift pass in advance to avoid having to queue, we can organize this for you on request.
At the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m) you will rope up, put on your crampons and make your way out the ice tunnel to enter the world of alpinists.
The approach begins with a steep and exposed descent of a sharp snow arête. Below this the route levels out and you will make your way beneath the south face of the Aiguille du Midi towards the start of the route at the Refuge des Cosmiques hut. The approach takes about half an hour.
Now the climbing begins, starting with easy mixed terrain. You continue along the route winding up, over and around big rock spires. There are two short abseil sections and a short rock wall to negotiate.
The climbing is easy again with two great last pitches before you make your way up a rickety ladder to where the route finishes on one of the Aiguille du Midi’s observation terraces. You will generally have people watching you and waiting to ask to have their photo taken with you here!
Mountaineering boots
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Thin gloves
Warm hat
Fleece or woollen layers
Light puffer jacket
Warm gloves
Thermal underwear
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Climbing pants
Ice Axe
Climbing helmet
Crampons
20-30 litres rucksack
Harness
Screwgate carabiner
Sunglasses
Water bottle (1 litre minimum)
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
