Climbing the Aiguille Dibona in Écrins National Park France

Great photos influence us to try, buy or experience things, ideas, and places.

When Janine found a photo of the Aiguille Dibona and called me over to her computer, I was sure it was somewhere other than Europe. But as luck would have it, it’s in the Écrins National Park outside Grenoble, France, and only a few hours from home. We showed it to our friend Brendan Leonard of Semi-Rad fame, and together put it at the top of our summer 2013 to do list of work projects.

The trip became a very successful reality this week after spending five perfect, sunny days climbing flawless, golden granite. The Aiguille Dibona isn’t just a pretty picture, it is a five star climbing destination.

But as Brendan was along, he’ll do what he’s best at, words. We’ll show it all off through what we do, our images. Coming soon will be a few different homes for this story, we’ll pass that info along when they’re ready.

A huge thanks to our partners at Outdoor Research for helping make this happen.

Simon Duverney and Janine Patitucci at the Refuge du Soreiller, basecamp for the Aiguille Dibona

Simon Duverney on the Aiguille Dibona’s classic Visite Obligatoire, 6a+

Simon Duverney on the headwall of Aiguille Dibona’s classic Visite Obligatoire, 6a+

Brendan Leonard and Simon Duverney with psyche level high before the last pitch

Aiguille Dibona’s final pitch to the top of the needle, a true summit

Brendan Leonard on the descent of the Aiguille Dibona

Simon Duverney on top of the Dibona’s sister summit

Brendan Leonard on what we called the Gnome Route for it’s gnomes at belays, although we found only one remained, the others having been lost to avalanches.

Brendan and Simon cooling down their paws below Aiguille Dibona

Hardman Simon Duverney redpointing an 8a on the Dibona

Janine Patitucci heading up the Aiguille Centrale, an idyllic ridge traverse from Dibona north to the Centrale summit, 200 meters higher

Simon on the summit of the Aiguille Centrale, with the Aiguille Dibona below and left

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