Pic Coolidge, Mountain summit in Isère, France

Pic Coolidge rises to 3,775 meters (12,385 feet) within the Massif des Écrins and combines snow-covered slopes with rocky sections. The terrain shifts between broad snow fields and steep rock faces that require different climbing techniques.

The summit was named after W.A.B. Coolidge, who made the first recorded ascent in 1877 with two local mountain guides. This early climb was part of the growing exploration of the French Alps during the 1800s.

The summit's name honours William Auguste Coolidge, who led the first ascent on 14 July 1877 with the Grindelwald guides Christian Almer and his son Ulrich. Before that it was called Pointe des Verges. Climbers still approach from the Temple-Écrins, Carrelet and Cézanne refuges, and the south ridge is rated F as the normal route.

Access is from the Vénéon or Vallouise valleys via the Col de la Temple, with the Refuge Temple-Écrins (2,410 m) as the usual base; the Refuge du Carrelet (1,908 m) and Refuge Cézanne (1,874 m) serve other approaches. The south ridge is the normal route, graded F, while the north-east face (D), east ridge (AD) and south face (AD) are harder. Snow and ice persist in the upper gullies and hollows into summer.

The summit was first climbed on 14 July 1877 by W. A. B. Coolidge with the Grindelwald guides Christian Almer and his son Ulrich, by a route different from today's Normal route. Before that, the peak was called Pointe des Verges.