Your guide will either pick you up from your accommodation or meet you at the Montenvers train station to take the train up to the top station. This is where the adventure begins. Quick climb down the ladders leading to the Mer de Glace glacier and hike up to the Charpoua hut (2841m) where we stay for the night. (about 3h30)

Very early start, we wake up at 1am. We head towards the Charpoua glacier, which we quickly cross towards the foot of the S face of the Drus where we can take off our crampons.  The first part of the climb, with relatively easy passages, leads to the brèche des Flammes de Pierre. This is where the more technical climbing starts with some fairly physical passages to reach the summit of Petit Dru (about 6h from the start of the climb). Two more hours of climbing and we should reach the summit of the Grand Dru. The descent is long with several abseils – it will bring us back to glacier from where we quickly get back to the Charpoua hut. 

We can return to Chamonix the same day. Alternatively, to avoid the pressure to catch the last train to Chamonix,  we can stay in the hut for another night to relax after the climb and enjoy the mountain views. The mission is completed, the dream fulfilled.

Technical level

This climb is for highly experienced mountaineers. You need to be comfortable, confident and fast, climbing granite up to 6a in mountaineering boots with a backpack. You need to have very good rope skills and expert abseiling skills. You also need experience in glacier travel skills (walking on crampons).

Physical level

You need excellent physical fitness and stamina to climb with confidence and good speed for about 12 hours. The climbing is fairly physical and technical. You also need to be acclimatized for this climb.