Chamonix, French Alps

[crimbo]

What is the big copper tower on top of the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix in the French Alps?

[Jonathan R]

Don't know if you've been up there or not, but I have and it's about as exciting as it sounds. I wondered this as well but couldn't determine any obvious use for it. It was just a big copper eye-sore in an otherwise incredible landscape. As there has been a scientific station up there for a very long time, it may have been thought irrelevant in the days when there were few tourists. If it's anything like England, it's probably a bloody listed building nowadays! The views from up there are awesome, I stayed until I was almost frozen and then walked back to Chamonix from the mid-way station. If anyone plans to do this, wear good boots (unlike me!). Also, the temperature at the top is very low even in mid-summer and can be a shock.

[RCP]

If it's copper, I wouldn't fancy being up there in an electrical storm!

[crimbo]

Yes I have been up there before, three times so far, summer and winter ( one of which was in the middle of a thunderstorm , which was pretty worrying to say the least), but not even in Chamonix was there any info about the spire. Thanks any way.

[Gef]

I was up there in July 1988 and didn't even notice it - is it relatively new? Jonathan R is correct about the temperature - in July, 32C in Chamonix but minus 4C at the top.