Aiguille du Dru

Aiguille du Dru (Dru, the Drus, Les Drus)

Autumn in the high mountains of the French Alps. Aiguille du Dru in the Mont Blanc massif near Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, France. | K I Photography
Dru Peak, Aiguilles du Chamonix, Mont Blanc Massif, Alps, Chamonix, France

Located east of Les Praz village in Chamonix valley, Aiguille du Dru is a mountain in the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps. The word “Aiguille” translates to “needle” in French, referencing the pointy top of the mountain.

The closest neighboring peaks to Aiguille du Dru include Petite Aiguille Verte and Aiguille des Grands Montets to the north, Aiguille Verte and Aiguille du Jardin to the east, and Mont Jeremy le Magnifique and Aiguille du Moine to the south. It is directly east of several glaciers.

Country: France

State/Province: Haute-Savoie

Mountain Range: French Alps

Parents: Graian Alps

Elevation: 12,316 feet / 3,754 meters

Prominence: 650 feet / 198 meters

First Ascent: September 12, 1878, by Clinton Thomas Dent, James Walker Hartley, Alexander Burgener, and K. Maurer.

Fun Fact: In 2005, there was a large rock fall that destroyed the mountain’s southwest “Bonatti” pillar.

Aiguille du Dru, Mont Blanc Massif, France
Mont Blanc range winter landscape reflecting in Les Gaillands lake in Chamonix at dawn | Hiciu Catalin

Plant Life: Several species of deciduous trees grow in the valleys of the Alps, including the birch, oak, poplar, elm, linden, beech, chestnut, mountain ash, and Norway maple. Coniferous trees are found at higher elevations, commonly the spruce, larch, and pine species. 

Animal Life: The rare brown bear, as well as the ibex (a wild goat), chamois, marmot, mountain hare, and ptarmigan all know the Alps as home. 

Bird Life: The Alps are also home to the prized bearded vulture (lammergeier).

Chapel of Les Praz de Chamonix and the Drus in Haute-Savoie, France. | Santi Rodriguez

Sources:

Aiguille du Dru mountain cliff summit red umbrellas empty caffe restaurant tables beautiful view, Mont Blanc massiff range ridge | Evgeny Subbotsky

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