This was our first trip with glacier equipment in the backpack. Even if there was no need for it at the end, but you never know, so better be prepared for it. Aiguille du Tour is well-known as a nice beginner route for mountaineers. So probably you will always find a well-tracked autoroute up the wide and flat glacier, perfect for running if you don't have troubles with breathing in the hight;-). There are two possibilities to get to the upper glacier plateau (Plateau du Trient), depending on conditions. But we found the meters more spent via Col du Tour are best for the uphill route. The way down is lots of fun via the steeper Col Supérieur du Tour, the first part can be icy or rocky in parts, but the rest makes fun sliding down the steep snowfield. The bergschrund close to the rocky summit of Aiguille du Tour can be tricky in late season, but in june, july and august, normally, a stable snow bridge leads above it. Scrambling up to II. grade is required to reach the summit, be aware of some loose rocks other parties can trigger, but in general the rock quality is solid and fun to climb. Lots of scratches from crampons lead to the top, route finding is therefore easy going.
Definitively a nice choice to start Skyrunning season with or for newbies in skyrunning business. Trailrunning crampons and a ice axe can be useful at the last part (bergschrund) or at the two different cols to get to the Trient Plateau. There is not so much easy stuff in Chamonix for Skyrunning, mountaineering skills and expertise are required for all skyruns up to the higher peaks around.
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