2012: Swiss Expedition puts up new route on Whale Top

A Swiss expedition visited the valley south of Whale Top (Point 1303), where Jon Bracey's team had climbed in 2000. There were 20 people in the team including 14 young climbers aged between 14 and 20. They put up a new route on Whale Top called 'La Chute du Rein', 600m, 6c.

Information about the 2012 expedition

Expedition Greenland 2012 members:

Bruno Metral, Dylan Tramaux, Julie Metral, Julien Plaschy, Lindsey Darbellay, Louis Roggo, Emmanuel Pignat, Mégane Berclaz, Nicolas Gay, Robin Lenzser, Romain Guex, Simon Passak, Valentin Roduit, Valentin Dorsaz, Antoine Salina, Yannick Boissenot (camerman), Gregory Bueche (Mountain guide), Maxime Derivaz (Mountain guide), Philippe Gay (Mountain guide), Jasmine Lienert (doctor).

This expedition was organised by the St. Maurice GMA club, and the young climbers were celebrating the end of 3 years training in the Alps. This is the tenth GMA trip that has been organised in 30 years.

Details of the new route:

Whale Top (1303m), new route: 'La Chute du Rein', 600m, 6c, and one A1 pendulum.

The route follows a 300m flake, and then up cracks and corners, followed by a 250m scramble to the summit. While most of the climbing was protected by pegs and traditional gear, some hand-drilled bolts were placed where necessary along the pitches and to back up some belays.

There is a short video put together by Yannick Boissenot which you can view here and a longer version can be bought here.