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Walker Spur

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI Edit route
The Walker Spur is the classic and most famous route on Les Grandes Jorasses. It rises on the huge north face and follows a prominent spur line to the summit. The route is a major alpine mixed climb with sustained steep rock, snow, and ice sections. Objective hazards include rockfall, icefall, and rapidly changing conditions on the face. It is a serious high-mountain route requiring solid acclimatization, efficient movement, and stable weather. The line is well documented in major alpine guidebooks and is one of the great climbs of the Mont Blanc massif.

Route Outline

Montenvers or Leschaux approach -> base of the north face
Climb the central spur system of the north face
Pass the difficult mixed and rock sections on the spur
Reach the summit ridge of Les Grandes Jorasses
Summit of Les Grandes Jorasses
Descend by the normal descent route or via the ascent line, depending on conditions

More routes on Les Grandes Jorasses

Croz Spur

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI
The Croz Spur is another major line on the north face of Les Grandes Jorasses. It is a serious alpine route with sustained mixed climbing on a steep, exposed spur. The route is less commonly climbed than the Walker Spur but is well known in the literature on the Grandes Jorasses north face. Conditions on the face strongly affect difficulty and safety. Rockfall and icefall are significant objective dangers, especially in warm or unstable weather. It is a demanding climb for experienced alpinists comfortable on long, committing routes.
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Couturier Route

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI
The Couturier Route is a documented classic line on the north face of Les Grandes Jorasses. It is a serious alpine face route with steep mixed climbing and sustained exposure. Like the other north-face routes, it is highly condition-dependent and can be dangerous in poor weather or unstable snow and ice. The route is long, committing, and requires efficient route-finding. It is generally regarded as a major mountaineering objective rather than a straightforward ascent. The line is established in standard guidebook coverage of the mountain.
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Normale Route (South Side)

4A | D | IV
The normal route on the south side is the standard non-north-face ascent of Les Grandes Jorasses. It is a genuine alpine mountaineering route and not a hiking trail. The route is generally less severe than the famous north-face lines, but it still involves high-altitude climbing on mixed terrain. Conditions on the south side can vary widely with snow cover and rock quality. It remains a serious objective because of the mountain's scale, altitude, and exposure. This route is documented in alpine references for the peak.
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