Eager to get some acclimatization, we went to Argentiere basin for a weekend. In addition to pretty good snow, we got to do some sunbathing and climb a few pitches of ice.
After taking a lift up the Grands Montets, we skinned/climbed the classic Glacier du Milieu route to get to Aiguille d'Argentière.
We stayed overnight in the winter-room of the hut and made an attempt up the Lagarde direct on the Droites north face. Unfortunately it took us quite a while to approach the climb with several crevases and bergshrunds slowing down the progress. In the end we did the initial steep section and realized that it will hard to make it down in the daylight if we press on. With a long drive back and Monday looming ahead, we bailed.
By now I've attempted all three north faces in the basin with a meagre success rate of a third. What a great excuse to return.
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