Bec Rouge Supérieur via west ridge
Overshadowed by the Aiguille du Chardonnet, Bec Rouge Supérieur is easily overlooked, but offers a challenging run from Argentière, including some 6,000ft of ascent and wonderful views across the Aiguille Verte and Les Droites to one side, and the Aiguille du Tour on the other.
A run of two halves, the lower slopes are characterised by classic alpine trails among the larch and pines, while the upper section is a wild, boulder strewn granite arete with some exposure in places, though it is not technically difficult (equivalent to Grade 2 scrambling with much Grade 1).
Most who venture here will stop at Bec de Lachat - a different world waits above and is well worth the effort of continuing. I continued further still, intent on one final summit but stopped as a significant rockfall thundered into the Tour glacier from the ridge above. On increasingly unstable rock, and starting to feel the altitude beneath an incredibly strong sun, I called it a day, watching an eagle circling above for long moments before starting the descent.
