100 Travel Stories
High up in the clouds: Aiguille du Midi
Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m), Mont Blanc
One day trip from Geneva, Switzerland, to Chamonix in France. Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and the site where the first Winter Olympics took place in 1924.
One of the main attractions is the spectacular cable car trip from Chamonix to Aiguille du Midi 3,842 m (12,605 ft) – the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world. There is a change of cabin at 2,317 m. From here, the ascent is steep and directly, without any support pillar for a length of 2,867 m. (data from Wikipedia).
Once the cabin reach the upper station, inside the mountain is an elevator to the summit. Aiguille du Midi means “Needle of the Mid-day” – a true description of the sharp peak. The space constraints are limiting the movements outside to a viewing platform and a bridge. Tunnels dug into the mountain connect different pathways, taking the visitors through a museum and a café, up and down the stairs.
At the end of May the temperature was -14 degrees C. A mix of fog, snow and sunny breaks. At this altitude the oxygen level is low, causing shortness of breath. Climbing stairs wasn’t easy!
Overall it was a good trip and a surreal experience. Enjoy the photos (taken with the Ricoh GR III camera)!
The Ascent
Chamonix, cable car station
Around the Summit
“I think, every time I’m on the mountain, I’m just so thankful to be there.” – Chloe Kim
Elevator to Aiguille du Midi Summit
Exit to the mountains – for alpinists only!
The Descent
Chamonix
Planning the trip
Since the weather in the mountains can change in any moment, good planning (and a little bit of good luck) is essential. During bad weather, the peak can be immersed in fog or the cable car doesn’t work – and if you are taking a tour company you will not get a refund for the € 63 cable car ticket. Better go independently!
Useful links:
Map
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