'Combo' speed: new mixed climb added to Mont Greuvettaz (Mont Blanc) by François Cazzanelli, Giuseppe Vidoni

"We climbed fast and precise, just the way we like! In just under 9.5 hours, we covered 27 km, ascended and descended 2,225 meters, and established a stunning new route in one of the most remote corners of Mont Blanc." With these words, François Cazzanelli describes his latest climb in the Mont Blanc massif, completed with his friend Giuseppe Vidoni just one month after their remarkable ‘Bianco Invisibile’ on the Brèche de l’Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey.

On April 10, the duo established Combo, a 600-meter mixed climb that ascends the northeast face of Mont Greuvettaz (3,684m) in the Triolet basin. After breaching difficulties up to ith difficulties up to AI5 and M6, they reached the ridge that separates the mountain from Aiguille de Leschaux by midday and descended via the south face. As usual the times they logged were jaw-dropingly fast: 4:00 AM start from Val Ferret, a long skin up to the base of the route, the ascent (with skis strapped to their backs), descent, and return to Planpincieux — all in a mere 9.5 hours.

Writing on Instagram, Cazzanelli stated:"Greuvettaz is one of those mountains that unlocks beautiful memories! Its northeast face in winter guise has a long, complicated approach, which is why it’s often forgotten or overlooked. The neighbouring north face of the Grandes Jorasses steals the spotlight for its beauty and fame, but there’s fun to be had here, too! Plus, isolation and solitude are guaranteed!"

"Our idea was to climb fast and light, carrying skis in order to descend easily down the opposite side. It turned into an amazing adventure where we combined skiing and alpinism, leveraging our versatility once again. What a combo!"

The climb was Vidoni’s brainchild. Two days prior, he skinned up to scout conditions of the face:“During the first reconnaissance ski tour, I immediately noticed this perfect line of alpine ice" he explained, adding, "The north face of the Grandes Jorasses lures climbers with its beauty and fame, but even here, far from the crowds, there’s plenty of fun in store!”

Notably, this isn’t Cazzanelli’s first route on Greuvettaz. In 2011, with Marco Farina, he opened Centocinquanta on the east face, and in 2012, with Farina and Rémy Maquignaz, he established Tempest.