Aiguille de la République

The Aiguille de la République is a mountain summit in the Aiguilles de Chamonix range, standing at 3305 meters with a steep monolithic peak rising about 15 meters. Its rock formation creates a sharp, distinctive silhouette that stands out among the surrounding peaks.

The first ascent took place on July 29, 1904, led by H.E. Beaujard and guide Joseph Simond, joined by Louis Simond and Alfred Tournier. This early climb marked an important milestone in the exploration of this summit.

The mountain takes its name from its summit profile, which resembles a Phrygian bonnet, a symbol connected to the French Revolution. This distinctive shape gave the peak its special meaning among climbers and locals.

Most climbers start their ascent from the Refuge de l'Envers des Aiguilles, located roughly 800 meters southeast of the summit. The Southeast route is the standard approach, and climbers should prepare for steep rock passages and potentially rapid weather changes.

In the early days, climbers used a crossbow sent from Paris to pass a knotted rope over the summit, a technique that remained in use until 1971. This unusual method was necessary to overcome the steep rock formation at the top.