The Mont Blanc Massif

This book includes descriptions of the 100 finest alpine climbs in the Mont Blanc Massif, the most important and demanding alpine training area in the world. This is a new, revised edition of the 2002 reprint (1898573034). The Mont Blanc Massif is famed as the world's finest and most accessible alpine climbing area. Rebuffat's presentation of its hundred finest climbs, and his shrewd yet inspiring commentary makes this book the ideal alpine primer. It presents a full range of possibilities from short, easy and scenic routes, classic climbs to all the main summits, and a series of grandes courses (the most testing and committing routes) that call for the highest levels of skill and judgement. This is the place where ambitious alpinists perfect their skills before tackling the greater ranges and the world's highest peaks, and where modest alpinists finally get to tackle the highest massif in Western Europe. This new edition reflects modern equipment developments and grading, and the new problems created by glacial retreat (hastened by global warming). An alternative route is added to replace the celebrated Bonatti Pillar of the Dru that collapsed in June 2005 - also, probably, an event brought on by climate change. The book remains as popular as ever, 20 years after the author's death - clear proof of its enduring relevance.