The imposing South Side of Mont-Blanc, whose
headwall, dominated by huge rock pilars, is extremely steep. Those visible on the right
are the Freney Pilars, the Brouillard Pilars begin hidden behind the brouillard
(fog).
During the approach from the Monzino hut, the pilars appear deceptively small because of
the distance, but are more than 500m high. Separated in two by the Inominata ridge, which
begins at the right, the face delimited by the Brouillard Ridge on the left (the skyline
on the left of the picture), and the Peuterey ridge (visible on the pciture above)
This
is a very remote corner, which is a fearsome trap if a storm moves in. Reaching the Eccles
shelter (4000m) requires a long day of climbing from the Valley. Because of its tragic
history, its position and difficulty, the central Pilar of Freney , of which the base is
seen on the right picture, has kept his reputation of being one of the big climbs of the
Alps.
Northern Side