Grandes Jorasses Mountain

Address: Grandes Jorasses, Mont Blanc massif (Alps)

The Grandes Jorasses is a prominent massif in the Mont Blanc range on the border between the Aosta Valley (Italy) and Haute-Savoie (France), noted for its steep alpine faces and multiple 4,000-metre summits. The highest peak on the ridge is Pointe Walker, which reaches 4,208 metres.

The massif is best known for its dramatic north face, a steep wall of roughly 1,000 to 1,200 metres that forms one of the classic, highly technical north-face routes in the Alps. Climbers visit for long mixed rock and ice routes, while mountaineers and photographers value the ridge skyline and glaciated approaches.

Alpine activity on the Grandes Jorasses increased in the 19th century with pioneering climbs on the main summits; since then it has remained a central objective in high-Alpine mountaineering. Routes range from long alpine rock climbs to mixed ice and snow ascents and require significant technical experience.

The ridge is located within the Mont Blanc massif, straddling the Italy-France frontier, with access from the Aosta Valley on the Italian side and from high mountain valleys on the French side. Nearest alpine bases are in the valleys around Courmayeur and Chamonix, from which approach routes begin.

• North face: The north face is one of the Alps’ great north faces, rising roughly 1,000-1,200 metres and offering long, technical alpine routes favored by experienced climbers.

What to See#

• Pointe Walker (4,208 m): Pointe Walker, the highest summit of the ridge at 4,208 metres, forms the eastern high point and is a classic objective for alpine climbers.

• Plan climbs and approaches for stable summer weather (July-September) and start alpine routes well before dawn to reduce rockfall and storm exposure; afternoon weather in the Mont Blanc massif turns quickly.
• Approach from the Courmayeur/Val Feret side when accessing classic routes on the Italian face - Courmayeur is the usual base for logistics, guiding services and mountain huts for Grandes Jorasses climbs.
• If attempting technical ascents (north face or ridge routes), enlist a local UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide and check recent route condition reports from alpine clubs; many parties underestimate objective hazards on this massif.