Aiguille de Tré-la-Tête Centrale Nord-Ouest, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Bonneville, Upper Savoy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Kontinentalna Francuska, 74170, Francuska
The Aiguille de Tré la Tête, towering at 3,930 meters, is a prominent mountain in the southern part of the Mont Blanc massif. Straddling the border between Italy and France, this peak is notably recognized for its highest point, the central southeast pinnacle, situated in Italy.
The mountain is distinguished by four significant summits: the 3,892-meter high l’aiguille Nord or Tête Blanche, the 3,846-meter high l’aiguille centrale Nord-Ouest, the highest point at 3,930 meters – l’aiguille centrale Sud-Est, and the 3,895-meter high l’aiguille orientale. These peaks collectively form a striking chain with the Dômes de Miage and add to the mountain’s grandeur.
The Aiguille de Tré la Tête holds a unique place in mountaineering history. It was first ascended on July 12, 1864, by a team comprising Anthony Adams Reilly and Edward Whymper, along with guides Michel Croz, Michel Payot, and H. Charlet. They tackled the mountain via the ENE arête (PD+), followed by the Bivouac Rainetto, marking a significant moment in the annals of Alpine climbing.
Adding to the mountain’s lore is a poignant discovery made in September 2007. The remains of a young mountaineer, who had tragically perished in 1954, were found by a hiker at an elevation of 2,500 meters, well below a mountain trail. Investigations revealed the remains to be of a 24-year-old man who had vanished on August 4, 1954, along with his 21-year-old brother and 16-year-old sister while returning from an ascent of the Aiguille de la Lex Blanche (3,697 m). The siblings’ bodies were later found two kilometers above the glacier’s base.
The western slope of Aiguille de Tré la Tête forms part of the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve, showcasing the mountain’s ecological significance and its role in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region.