Mont Aiguille () () is a mountain in the Vercors Massif of the French Prealps, located south of Grenoble, in the commune of Chichilianne, and the département of Isère. The mountain, known as one of the Seven Wonders of Dauphiné, is a relatively flat limestone mesa surrounded by steep cliffs. The mountain lies within an area designated in 1970 as the Vercors Regional Natural Park. Mont Aiguille's limestone cliffs, especially on the northwest side, are popular with climbers. Its first climb in 1492 was said to mark the birth of mountaineering.
Topography and geography
Mont Aiguille is a mesa eroded from the Vercors Plateau in the drainage basin of the Rhône. It is surrounded by steep cliffs and has a height of and a clean prominence of . The surrounding terrain is difficult enough to warrant a technical climb as the easiest method of ascent. This has resulted in several unique features of Mont Aiguille, including the cliffs, which are almost identical to those on the eastern edge of the Vercors Plateau such as those on the edge of the Grand Veymont, which is the highest point of the range. As easily observed, the bedding planes are all roughly level, although there is some inclination down to the north-east.
Since at least the thirteenth century, the mountain has been regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of Dauphiné. The mountain is most noted for its first ascent in 1492. He was visited in the following days by many local members of the nobility and aristocracy. The team bivouacked on the summit for eight days, erecting small crosses and a stone shelter. The ascent is described by François Rabelais in his Quart Livre.
The mountain was not climbed again until 1834, Less than a month later, it was climbed by seven people at the same time, who reportedly danced and sang La Marseillaise on the summit. The mountain was designated in 1970 as part of the Vercors Regional Natural Park.
Gallery
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Mont Aiguille avec arche vu du Pas de l'Aiguille.JPG|Mont Aiguille with the arch from Little Needle
Mont-Aiguille.jpg|Mont Aiguille
Clelles-Mens station 1.JPG|Clelles-Mens station
Mont Aiguille vu de RN Clelles.JPG|Mont Aiguille viewed from RN Clelles
Mont Aiuguille.jpg|Mont Aiguille
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