It took Charles Dubouloz six days and five nights to scale the 4,208-metre-high mountain. Photo / 123rf
It took Charles Dubouloz six days and five nights to scale the 4,208-metre-high mountain. Photo / 123rf
Charles Dubouloz spent six days and five nights enduring -30C temperatures as he journeyed up the 4,208-metre-high Grandes Jorasses in the Mont Blanc massif.
Upon reaching the top, the 32-year-old alpinist and mountain guide became the first person to successfully make a solo winter ascent of the north face ofthe mountain.
Duboulouz took the notorious 'Rolling Stones route' and described the journey as "the culmination of a relentless practice of sport outside since my young years."
Grandes Jorasses, Massif du Mont Blanc, North side. Photo / Robin Lacassin
To climb Grand Jorasses north face is a challenge reserved for the most expert climbers in the world but to make the attempt during winter and solo? Few have ever dared try. However, Duboulouz told mountaineering magazine Montagnes, the difficulty was the attraction.
Straddling France and Italy, Grandes Jorasses' north face is technically located in France and considered one of 'the trilogy' of the greatest north faces in the Alps. Switzerland's Eiger and the Matterhorn complete the trio.
To make the feat even more impressive, Duboulouz only had his first high altitude experience last November in Nepal.
