14/01/2009Good times on Les Droites North Face

On the 12th Jan, DMM climbing team members, Matt Helliker and Jon Bracey, stepped on to the first Grands Montets cable car of the day from Argentiere; with a light rack, skis and the intention of moving quickly!

Taking a high line to the base of the North Face of the Droites (4000m), they found good conditions. Crampons and axes out, the pair started up the Colton-Brooks route (ED1, IV/5 and mixed, 1,000m, 1977). Soloing for the first 600m to the headwall they were moving well. Deciding it was time to get the rope out, Matt and Jon continued moving together for the remaining 400m of the climb, arriving at the top after 4 hours 16 mins from the base. Matt Helliker commented: "Not bad going with touring boots and skis on our backs."

Abseiling the south face in 10 raps, they skied out back to Chamonix in a round trip of 11 hours 30 mins, summed up by Matt as: "A great day out!"