Les cornettes de bise sur La Chapelle-D'Abondance

Hello everyone, Today, I decided to share my story and my adventure with you, which almost ended in tragedy. I had a real brush with death climbing the summit of Les Cornettes de Bise without any equipment. My cousin and I started the ascent around 5 p.m. I had never climbed a mountain before, no experience whatsoever… but I'm a very adventurous person and I'm not afraid. I had already risked my life crossing the sea in a wooden boat for 25 hours between Africa and Europe. So we decided to attempt this climb. At first, it was easy, then normal… but the nightmare began around 1800 meters. The section of earth and grass ended, and what followed was nothing but a huge white rock. We started climbing using the cracks… At 2,000 meters, exhausted, something happened that could have been my last moment. We reached a section where there was only one option: to climb a large, oval boulder. Trying to ascend, I found myself dangling in mid-air. Behind me was nothingness—a fall meant instant death. The worst part was that I couldn't see what was above the boulder. I was pressed against it, my feet and hands in precarious positions. And then, a cramp in my right leg… my other leg trembled with exhaustion. Only my hands were holding me up. In an almost instinctive movement, I reached up with one hand… and miraculously, I found a hold. Then, I managed to place my foot where my hand had been. I barely survived. We continued climbing… then a second nightmare. We were climbing by crawling, lying completely flat on our stomachs, clinging to the grass. At one point, I leaned with all my might on a clump of grass… which ripped away. I started sliding down like on a toboggan, on my stomach. My body was scraped raw—arms, legs, stomach… I struggled to grab onto something. And luckily, I managed to grab a rock behind me. Once again, I escaped death. At that moment, I felt deep regret. I thought of my mother, my sisters, my father… I told myself: “What I’m doing isn’t worth my life. I’m making a huge mistake.” But we kept going. My cousin is experienced, so it was easier for him. Around midnight, we reached the summit. It was bitterly cold, and we were only wearing short-sleeved t-shirts and shorts, in total darkness. We decided to call for help. It was the only option. Luckily, they answered, and an hour later, a helicopter arrived. It landed right at the summit, with extremely powerful gusts of wind—it was impressive and dangerous. They hoisted us aboard one by one, then brought us back down safely. I will never forget what France did for us that day. Immense respect and gratitude to the rescue teams and the helicopter crew. You are true heroes. The scenery was breathtaking… magnificent nature. We saw the sunset, a huge lake, and all the surrounding towns like Thonon-les-Bains and Lausanne. At night, it was even more magical: all the city lights below, and us above it all… a sight I will never forget. This experience will stay with me forever. 2880m

Magnificent place, climb from Tanay

We spent one night in a wooded, mountainous place with beautiful views of the lake.