Anticipating a long and highly technical route, the initial trail sections from Les Contamines up to the Tré-la-Tête hut were covered at a brisk pace. Route conditions were ideal: firm snowfields allowed for highly efficient progress, completely bypassing the loose and time-consuming scree.
Reaching the Aiguille de la Bérangère between 4:00 and 5:00 AM, the traverse over the Dômes de Miage was fast, followed by a smooth descent to the Durier hut. The solo climbing section on the Aiguille de Bionnassay was approached with deliberate care to minimize risk. The subsequent snow ridge was exceptionally knife-edged this season, demanding extra time and focus, though thankfully the forecasted high winds on this exposed section did not materialize. The final push to the summit felt familiar, having just climbed the Bosses ridge the previous day.
The descent via the Trois Monts started well, but the Mont Maudit downclimb proved technical. Navigating steep, icy, and exposed terrain required the use of two ice axes and a deliberate, cautious pace. A brief navigational error at the Mont Blanc du Tacul forced a short backtrack, costing some time. Ultimately, the final 200-meter climb up to the Aiguille du Midi was deeply exhausting, requiring a massive physical effort and digging deep into remaining energy reserves to complete the traverse.