The three French alpinists Amaury Fouillade, Philippe Bruley and Baptiste Obino have opened a new 1000-meter-long line called Petit Pont on the west face of the Petit Dru.
$Alpinists not only spent the New Year in Bergell on a spectacular wall (Schäli/von Känel), but also in the mountaineering mecca Chamonix. A whole seven days were spent Amaury Fouillade, Philippe Bruley and Baptiste Obino in the sea of ​​granite at the Petit Dru.
Soon after the trio entered the route on December 26, 2024, a change of plan was necessary. The originally planned route did not work and the first section was full of hooks from the Spaniards Josep Maria Esquirol and David Palmadawho attempted the wall in 2015. Even after a change of plan, the French initially found remnants of previous ascents before finally breaking new ground.
The wall became steeper, more sloping and more compact until we reached the route base.
Amaury Fouillade
When the haul bag becomes an isobag. (Photo Amaury Fouillade) 
New Year's Eve party with a difference. (Photo Amaury Fouillade) 
Finest granite as far as the eye can see. (Photo Amaury Fouillade) 
Rope lengths like these make the mountaineer's heart beat faster. (Photo Amaury Fouillade) 
The motivated French trio consisting of Philippe Bruley, Amaury Fouillade and Baptiste Obino. (Photo Amaury Fouillade)
The three reached the summit in time before sunset on New Year's Eve, which they spent celebrating on the wall. According to the first ascents, the line is definitely free-climbable and a worthwhile alternative to the intersection of the route. BASE.
Dear friends, the first ascent can still be achieved!
Amaury Fouillade
Facts about the route
- First ascent: Philippe Bruley, Amaury Fouillade and Baptiste Obino
- Date: December 26.12.2024, 01.01.2025 to January XNUMX, XNUMX
- Region: Chamonix
- west face of Petit Dru
- Length: 1000 meters
- Difficulty: M5, 6a, A3