Piton Central of Aiguille du Midi, Mountain summit at Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
The Piton Central is the main peak of Aiguille du Midi, reaching 3,842 meters in the Mont Blanc range. It forms a rocky point with steep slopes and is topped by a mountain station with viewing terraces.
The first mountaineers reached the summit in 1818, marking the beginning of alpine exploration in this section of the French Alps. This early achievement sparked further expeditions and helped establish the area as a destination for climbing.
The name comes from a special observation: the sun passes directly overhead at noon when viewed from Chamonix church square below. This astronomical quality became part of how local people understood and related to the mountain.
Visitors reach the summit via a two-stage cable car system that holds the record for the highest single vertical ascent of nearly 2,800 meters. Warm clothing is essential since temperatures at the top are significantly colder than in Chamonix below.
The mountain station features an elevator carved into the rock that carries visitors the final 42 meters to the top terrace. This engineering solution was built directly inside the peak and provides an unusual way to reach the highest point.
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