Alpinism: Perrons de Vallorcine – A Bigger Bang (Aiguilles Rouges)

There are multiple great routes in the Perrons de Vallorcine and A Bigger Bang is definitively one of them with its memorable 7a pitch.

The beautiful 5th pitch of A Bigger Bang (© M. Baduel)

This route is graded ED-/7a/350m and has been opened by Jon de Montjoye and Hilary Sharp in 2007. It is fully bolted so take 14 quickdraws and perhaps a 000 or 00 friend.

Perrons de Vallorcine and the Pain de Sucre on the left (© P. Gatta)

Park at La Gueulaz and reach the base of Pain de Sucre, here is the GPS Route.

The 1st pitch of A Bigger Bang (© M. Baduel)

The first pitch is a long an nice 6a+ but a bit exposed in two places where a small friends or nuts may help.

The 1st pitch of A Bigger Bang from the 1st anchor (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #2: 6b+, crux on small holds within the first 10m. Bolts are often above the crux moves.

Pitch #3 of A Bigger Bang (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #3: 6a straight forward.
Pitch #4: 6b+.

Pitch #5, the nicest of A Bigger Bang (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #5: 7a, long, technical and physical pitch on a steep wall.

Pitch #6 of A Bigger Bang (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #6: short and physical 6c on good holds.

Pitch #7 of A Bigger Bang (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #7: 6c, longer and more sustained than the previous pitch.

Pitch #8 of A Bigger Bang (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #8: 6b+, nice traverse to the left.

Pitch #9 of A Bigger Bang (© P. Gatta)

Pitch #9: 6a, less steep climb followed by a slab.
Pitch #10: 5.