Aiguille des Glaciers

Aiguille des Glaciers, Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, Italija

The Aiguille des Glaciers, standing at 3,816 meters (12,520 feet), is a prominent mountain within the Mont Blanc massif, located at the convergence of Savoie and Haute-Savoie in France and the Aosta Valley in Italy. Known for its striking pyramidal shape, especially when viewed from the south on the Italian side, it beautifully dominates the landscape of the upper Veny Valley. However, its distinctiveness is somewhat less apparent when observed from the French side.

Typically, mountaineers undertake their ascents from the Vallee des Glaciers in Savoie. Thesummit offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the region, presenting a breathtaking perspective of the surrounding alpine terrain. The mountain’s unique positioning at the crossroads of two countries adds to its allure for climbers and explorers.

Historically, the Aiguille des Glaciers gained some notoriety due to a tragic event. On November 1, 1946, a B-17 Flying Fortress of the US Airforce tragically crashed into the mountain, close to the summit of Mont Blanc. This unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of all eight crew members aboard the aircraft. The crash site, located at an altitude of approximately 3,700 meters (12,000 feet), remained undiscovered until July 1947, marking a somber chapter in the mountain’s history.