Aiguille du Dru

Aiguille du Dru. The Aiguille du Dru is a dramatic granite spire forming part of the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps. It is renowned for its steep, challenging faces and its prominent position overlooking the Chamonix valley. The peak consists of two distinct summits, the Grand Dru and the Petit Dru, which are iconic landmarks in the world of alpinism.

Geography and Location

The Aiguille du Dru is situated in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France, within the broader Graian Alps. It rises directly above the Mer de Glace glacier and faces the larger Aiguille Verte across the Glacier de la Charpoua. The mountain's two summits, separated by a steep col, provide a commanding view of the Chamonix valley and the town of Les Praz. Its proximity to Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles de Chamonix makes it a central feature of the alpine skyline visible from the Tramway du Mont Blanc.

Geology and Formation

The peak is composed primarily of granite, formed during the Variscan orogeny and later uplifted during the Alpine orogeny. This geology is characteristic of the crystalline core of the Mont Blanc massif. The distinctive shape of the Aiguille du Dru is the result of intense glacial erosion from the Mer de Glace and subsequent frost weathering, which has sculpted its near-vertical faces and sharp ridges. Significant rockfall events, notably in 1997 and 2005, have altered its profile, particularly on the famed West Face of the Petit Dru.

Climbing History

The first ascent of the higher Grand Dru was achieved on 12 September 1878 by the British climber Clinton Thomas Dent with guides Alexander Burgener and K. Maurer via the southwest ridge. The Petit Dru was first climbed in 1879 by J. E. Charlet-Straton, P. Payot, and F. Folliguet. The mountain later became a crucible for advances in big wall climbing techniques. A landmark ascent was the 1935 first climb of the immense West Face by Pierre Allain and Raymond Leininger, a feat that inspired Walter Bonatti's legendary 1955 solo climb of a new route on the southwest pillar, now known as the Bonatti Pillar.

Notable Routes

The mountain offers some of the most storied and demanding climbs in the Alps. The classic Normal Route ascends the southwest flank of the Grand Dru. The Bonatti Pillar on the Petit Dru, though largely destroyed by rockfall, remains a legendary line in climbing history. The daunting West Face presents a serious mixed climb of sustained difficulty. Other significant lines include the American Direct Route, first climbed by Gary Hemming and Royal Robbins, and the Allain-Leininger Route on the north face. Modern climbers often approach via the Charpoua Hut or the Couvercle Hut.

In Popular Culture

The iconic silhouette of the Aiguille du Dru has secured its place in popular culture beyond mountaineering. It features prominently in the 1993 film *The Climb* and has been the subject of numerous documentaries by production companies like the British Broadcasting Corporation. The mountain's image is used extensively in advertising, notably for brands such as The North Face and Patagonia, Inc.. Its dramatic form has also inspired artists and photographers, including the work of Ansel Adams, and it appears in the opening sequence of the television series *The Avengers*.

Category:Mountains of Haute-Savoie Category:Alpine three-thousanders Category:Mont Blanc massif