Gendarme du Cardinal / New rock climb in Mont Blanc massif

French alpinists Antoine Bletton and Sébastien Moatti have established Armand Marley (350m, 6a+), a new rock climb up Gendarme du Cardinal in the Mont Blanc massif.
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Making the first ascent of Armand Marley, Gendarme du Cardinal, Mont Blanc (Antoine Bletton, Sébastien Moatti 07/2019)
Antoine Bletton, Sébastien Moatti

On 16 and 17 July the French alpinists Antoine Bletton and Sébastien Moatti, members of the Chamonix High Mountain Military Group (GMHM), ventured deep into the Cirque de la Charpoua in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif to make the first ascent of Armand Marley up Gendarme du Cardinal, about 45 minutes from Refuge de la Charpoua.

The new rock climb is 350 meters high and with difficulties up to 6a max "is an easy way to reach the beautiful red Gendarme du Cardinal". At the same time, the route acts as an alternative approach to the climbs above, for example the Swiss route and Voie Allain , when the couloir is no longer accessible. All the belays are bolted, nevertheless a trad rack is required for a repeat.

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