The Cosmique Arete // 3 Feet of Fresh Snow in July

On the Aiguille du Midi there's a route, supposedly a Chamonix classic, called the Cosmique Arete. It's a great route, with amazing rock, rappels and views and I didn't know it existed until we were half way through it. Sometimes you follow the crowd and end up with bedazzled, flared jeans and a frohawk. Other times you wind up doing something you'll want to tell your kids about, like climbing the Cosmique Arete under the pressing stare of a snow covered Blanc Massif. Fresh snow was definitely present during our time above Chamonix. It seemed as if 3 feet of thick, dense snow had fallen just prior to our arrival. It made things feel majestic but also unusually dangerous for a July assault on Blanc.

[@geoffswyka1143]

Danny: “11 in the afternoon” Yep, this guy alpines

[@ianholl9100]

needs to be a shirt

[@SeniorTurner]

My thought exactly 😂

[@poetac15]

Came here for this comment.

[@briandoolittle3422]

Afternoon starts when the sun rises.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

I've seen every one of your videos, and this is an all-time favorite because it imparts such an important lesson: don't risk your life in unfamiliar, avalanche-prone terrain, and do listen to the locals who always know the coolest spots. Views were incredible and climbing that crux was cool AF. And most important, you lived to climb another day and keep making inspiring videos.

[@abob2457]

Dang my brü, spoiler alert

[@matthewnguyen518]

Hi! I'm a fan of your channel! So glad to see you in the comments. I've learned so much from your's and mediocre amateur's videos! Keep up the good work! :)

[@samanthagrandon7000]

When I initially binged like 30 mediocre vids to catch myself up, I had “yesterday” stuck in my head for weeks...what a throwback to hear it again in this vid Also my favorite time of day is 11 in the afternoon

[@koalakyle19]

Hell yeah, "yesterday" is the best

[@TikiMoN5Ta]

I honestly don't understand why your videos don't have of millions of views and 10x the subscribers. This channel is criminally underrated...Please keep up the awesome content, we appreciate you

[@doberoner]

This channel deserves so many more subs.

[@mtadams2009]

Its crazy how low their subs are. Great content.

[@nicholasjones3554]

Two years ago, the KZbin algorithm blessed me with your Mount Rainier video. I watched that video while on my very first trip to the Alps, from the very hotel you stayed in in this video, and I’ve been hooked on your channel ever since. Your Haute Route series has been a favorite of mine, but this series gives it a run for its money. I’ll never grow bored of your adventures in the Alps.

[@spicee1000]

The Cosmique Arete looked spicey enough to make Christof's mother nervous. Now onto other important business... Official Counter: Mediocre Amateur videos since Danny's last puke: 14! With the guys heading back into Fall / Winter, not sure when we are going to get action from Danny.

[@andredubois4601]

I agree. It´s about time

[@PalaciosQuinn]

i require the vomit

[@deivclayton]

"I love French fries and I love French mountains." Loved it.

[@desviz]

"I love French Fries and I love French Mountains"...wicked T-Shirt I think...I love MA!!!! Woot! That sucker hole Alpine shot at 6:32 is SO Inspiring!

[@riccardocaruso5537]

Mont Blanc is also italian 🗿

[@shawnjordan5712]

I did this climb 25 years ago in crap weather a couple days after climbing mt blanc . Thanks for a great video as it brought back memories

[@beeclimbing9954]

The Cosmique Arete is indeed a classic! Nice to see you guys climbing (a rarity, film it more often if there are 3 of you!). Shame the weather didn't pan out for your original objectives, but hey, good excuse to come back across.

[@michellelee427]

Loved, "I love french fries and I love french mountains"

[@robertturner1308]

Live to climb another day. Still looks like a lot of fun!

[@Dluv3679]

Once again excellent video boys you knocked it out of the park with the scenery! Peace out

[@moonriseproductions]

Hell yeah, I'm currently injured in Colorado so I'll be enjoying your videos 42x as much for a bit. Thank you for filming and posting this stuff, it really helps me a lot!

[@maivtxiablivechannel]

My friend, thank you for sharing your travel experiences with us. After COVID, I will travel like you too.

[@leonz1315]

Best “amateur “ hiking channel on youtube

[@mikemcintosh9933]

That looks like an awesome route!

[@williamkleinmann4837]

Cham never gets old. You had the Tacu also in front of you but even that looked unstable and no boot pack and lots of crevasses. Chapeau!

[@Ecoroof1986]

Brilliant video. I've climbed Mt Blanc twice and had a great day on the Cosmic Arete. I love Chamonix.

[@AleksandarGospic]

Been waiting to see the conclusion of the 2021 Alpine Trilogy and if you made it to the top of Mont Blanc :) Pity weather was like that but anyway this was a successful trip I'd say, especially because of the Jungfrau! Also these scenes when skies cleared on the Cosmiques plateau were so beautiful and the Cosmiques Arete was nice consolation prize :)

[@chrislee3350]

As always, classic footage! Awesome you stumbled on the Arete des Cosmiques!.There's a .12c next door called Ma Dalton you can do next time ;-) My brother and I skied the Mt Blanc and Tacul in '05 along with a few others. Put Couloir du Table on your list! It's mega classic and perfect Amateur footage I guarantee it!

[@howler6490]

It rained all the times I was in Chamonix.Wasted a lot of money and a lot of time. Cosmiques is the favourite bad weather route.Lucky you found it.

[@marcms25]

You guys are so cool, such an inspiration no matter the video!

[@reefer-joe]

A fools goal is to summit, the real goal is to make it back down safely. You are no fools. Or to paraphrase Clint Eastwood… “A wise man knows his limitations” Enjoyed watching this episode as much if not more than any of your others. Well done guys.

[@simonsteinberger2935]

Following people into unknown terrain is always a brilliant idea in the mountains. Good luck doing Mont Blanc with running shoes and in t-shirts. Not many people are able to do that. An exception is Kilian Jornet, but even he used crampons for his speed records - and I very much doubt that he did it in a t-shirt.

[@YojiHigh]

Throwback to the Otis days. Love it! Beautiful adventure, boys

[@chuckoffcampus9738]

All that snow is a nice visual break for those of us experiencing hot late summers.

[@ZonDog]

Good to see you all are still in Europe! Amazing vidio!!

[@ty0024]

Such a hidden gem channel !

[@harrisonaero]

The Angel's Landing crowd of the Swiss Alps. Nice edit guys.

[@runthesummit]

Thanks for the great video! Just got back from Lauterbrunnen and Chamonix yesterday. We were actually planning to do the Cosmique and Jungfrau while we were there but ended up doing the Auguille d’Entreves and the Monch which were great if you want to try them on a future trip!

[@kenmccluskey2648]

Great filming , nice one guys ,enjoyed it a lot .

[@kevinw1129]

Ha, ha. Proper amateurs. Following a bunch of other people onto a Chamonix Classic and having no idea you are on it. Priceless!🤣🤣

[@bidenadministrationischina5091]

That beginning music is golden. 3 dudes 1 floating camera. This gave me anxiety looking at yall do this

[@cordhasenschlaf6540]

Two days of rain in Chamonix. Perfect for running the UTMB course.

[@robinsmith9734]

just bloody awesome you 3, just plug the holes of misery and it clears' up: Rebufait Plus on the Midi!

[@riaanvandermerwe7141]

Great video. Happy that your trip turned out well ☺

[@sidx32]

'We came off the side of the mountain, climbed a ladder and we were at a restaurant with people in it.' Haha Blue skies coming. I feel your pain with the rain. Hope next time you guys get Matterhorn and Blanc.

[@bobsingh7949]

A world away from the problems at sea level. Love it

[@rickszabo4312]

Great vid, that Raptor must be a little stressful running around those roads up there, probably getting 10mpg just parked there.

[@PalaciosQuinn]

what a perfect little excursion, take precaution and be open minded, and the fun will come to you.

[@PolarBear9733]

Yes, a new MA video! Too bad about the weather. It’s no consolation but I have also experienced horrible weather for days on end when visiting the alps.

[@andredubois4601]

Mont Blanc is a special mountain for me. But brutal in bad weather. Was stuck up there once in a bivy for one and a half days before the storm cleared and it was possible to descend back down.

[@FC-uo6dh]

Loved it! Great route and a good decision!

[@pagewhite61]

Super cool, thanks.

[@ChewieTomatoes1]

Great video

[@paulhoulden]

Way too much snow there, I done this route in 2013 with a similiar amount, breaking trail was very tough up that first face up Tacul, there was an avalanche too that made the news, but luckily we had passed it

[@MichaelLoRe9]

What about the outdoor couch you guys found off camera? Rumor has it there is one on the top.

[@ToyotaTacoma-bt7hn]

It would be so soggy from the rain......

[@robopecha]

@@ToyotaTacoma-bt7hn the rain, hm?

[@mrsdiss]

you guys had really bad luck with the weather this summer! but you still got some great experiences! :D

[@randinuila2416]

The common guy having an uncommon experience. (I was only a little bit worried this time.)

[@Paramedic772]

Another great video! What a trip!

[@Nikali90]

Sucks you guys didn’t get to do everything you wanted. But it still looked like an epic adventure!

[@Fellmandave1]

Excellent, a mediocre amateur route that I have done! Ever since your, 'older guy in a vented shirt' comment have felt like one of them (which I am) now i feel back on track and a groovy alpinist again. I had better watch the video now and will probably find you have soloed some funky alt route.

[@oneofnine4212]

Oh yes I see you went for a visit at snell store.. In the valley blanch they say: the hardest route is the way back up to the midi cable car especially after the service closes.

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

Your vids are killin me

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Live to hike another day.

[@justinbayola]

That was an amazing stumble....

[@axelgep1348]

Nice video as always

[@shawnjordan5712]

I broke that trail at like 1am after the mountain being shut down for like 3 weeks due to weather . Prob one of the most taxing things I have ever done . Got the summit though lol. I was wrecked for days after 😂

[@jimclean2]

⚠️ Were you guys climbing with hyper static rope!? I love you guys, but please… Try Edelrid Rap Line Pro Dry 6mm in twin rope configuration if you want ultralight goodness with the element of safety on those more technical routes.

[@JohnICGomes]

French fries and not french 😂! Loved the video!

[@briandoolittle3422]

Hardshells are for rain. When it gets cold enough to snow, you don't need the waterproof protection, so you can just go for the shorts and tshirt.

[@NordicEthan]

Can you guys do a gear video showing what you use most often and what your favorites are?

[@juand515]

They have another channel for gear called Extra Mediocre.

[@BostonSportsGuy567]

I had a feeling in my loins that there was a new MA video... I could sense it..

[@snorbie]

Climbed this route a few years ago and the tourists at the top gave us a round of applause as we climbed up the ladder at the end 😎

[@timbranton7950]

Same here. Japanese Tourists wanted photos with us. Quite surreal end to a climb

[@snorbie]

@@timbranton7950 made me feel like a proper mountaineer 😁

[@sanzquerol]

Point is always to make the most of it. Very well done, and wise choise turning back.... not worth it. now you guys have to go back

[@bobsingh7949]

Very cool. Very, very cool. What finger gloves u got on?

[@MurrayPeeps]

My rona anxiety is not prepared for packed gondolas

[@dogger7762]

What’s the intro music when hes explaining about the cheesecake?

[@red6743]

I would have had to stop and checkout that Ranger Raptor too Bois ;)

[@lenemauchien182]

Are you guys using the Radline to belay??

[@adamedunn]

Very cool!

[@michaelmulligan9149]

YOU THINK A LITTLE SNOW IS GONNA STOP THE ALL MIGHTY CHRISTOPHE!?????

[@MrFbach1]

that is sick!

[@nomadtrails]

good to see Christoff on the lead

[@deroux]

Bravo!

[@codywerner2161]

What settings do you shoot on with your GoPro? I just got one and am trying to figure it out

[@JT-re5ec]

What boots do you guys roll in the snow?

[@AlpineShenanigans]

Yeah that Ford Raptor stood out to me too being in Europe

[@thomkatherine]

I was a bit confused because I thought only Christof wore the blue pants. Also, was that windburn or did he need more sunscreen? Great work on this video overall, MA dudes.

[@daveg8212]

Well, did you have LUNCH on the summit of the Midi? I'm guessing the final shot of Cristof and Matt sipping espresso in the cafe got edited out?

[@altaris2000]

Don't forget your chapstick! :)

[@nicolaistolwijk]

yeeeeah finally a new video

[@beautifulportland9592]

Sweet Adventure . . .

[@dan.b]

Last video? C'est ne pas possible

[@kasonfrigetto3824]

This is the first time anyone has said "The French are tougher"

[@GoatPeak]

Nice!

[@gmckemie4281]

What a video to watch while eating breakfast! Crystof made his Mom nervous.

[@puglet64]

5 years ago, similar situation, but in February. We finally got our start at the top of the the Aiguille du Midi at 3pm in deep cloud...and were the only people to ski the Couloir des Cosmiques that day, in 40cm of pow pow, all in the company of Cham all star freerider Sam Favret. here's a bad video of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2msgqhqgseVqMU

[@robn.1904]

What size rope are you guys using?

[@dolomitiproperties6124]

It appears they are using the Petzl RAD line. It's a 6mm hyper static line primarily used for glacier travel and for abseiling. Very amateurish and foolish to be used on the Cosmique Arete, as easy as it is. These boys will need to graduate to pro level with their short roping skills/rope management if they plan on climbing the Matterhorn. And please don't use the RAD line on the horn!

[@cnuila]

@@dolomitiproperties6124 I don't know about pro level, but I think we can take it from mediocre to average amateur and be fine:)

[@mnhays]

I would also buy an 11 in the afternoon MA shirt..

[@brianharder7714]

I'm trying to decide what's more offensive, calling the Cosmique Arete the Cosmic Ridge or calling the highest summit in the Alps "Blanc". So wrong but so mediocre. Oh and Christof's sunburn is on point!

[@wgamertvwgtv9068]

Yessssss

[@TrulyAmazingFeats]

"11 in the afternoon." Tell me about alpine starts without telling me about alpine starts.

[@ATCDogg]

11 in the afternoon 🧐

[@richardjohnson4696]

5:38.. Did he say French fries or French guys?

[@kevclaremcd]

How hard is it to say Arete>> you are in the French Alps after all

[@corinavazquez2685]

finallyyyy yayyy

[@virob9561]

That music