Punta Whymper

Punta Whymper is a mountain peak in the Mont Blanc massif situated on the border between France and Italy, between Courmayeur and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. It forms part of the Grandes Jorasses range and stands at approximately 4,184 meters elevation.

Edward Whymper and his climbing team made the first recorded ascent in 1865 during a period of intense Alpine exploration and mountaineering advancement. The peak was subsequently named after this pioneering climber, marking an important moment in mountaineering history.

The summit marks where French and Italian Alpine climbing traditions meet, visible in the techniques and approaches that mountaineers use here. The ridge itself has long served as a gathering place for climbers from both sides of the border.

Climbers can find shelter at the Bivacco Ettore Canzio hut, located a short distance west of the summit, providing protection from harsh mountain weather. This refuge serves as an important waypoint for climbers navigating the peaks in this section of the range.

The peak sits on the Mediterranean-Adriatic watershed, acting as a divider where rainwater flows toward two different seas. This geological role often goes unnoticed by climbers focused on the technical challenge of the ascent.

Location: Courmayeur

Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Elevation above the sea: 4,184 m

Part of: France–Italy border, drainage divide between the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, Grandes Jorasses

GPS coordinates: 45.86876,6.98498

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:03