Millet Mountain Group athletes Symon Welfringer and Esteban Daligault, together with Virgile Devin and Baptiste Obino, have opened a new route in the Mont Blanc massif: “Les Berbères,” a line that is part of the famous saga of the “Barbares,” a symbol of commitment, exploration, and modern mountaineering.
4Outdoor is also on Whatsapp. Just click here to subscribe to the channel and stay up to date.
At the highest levels of mountaineering, establishing a new route is much more than a simple ascent: it’s a quest, a direct encounter with the mountain, and a way to leave a tangible mark over time. A process that requires intuition, determination, and the ability to accept uncertainty. Because, despite preparation and motivation, nothing is ever guaranteed on a rock face.
The story of the “Barbares” in the Mont Blanc massif began in 2003 with Patrick Pessi and Stéphane Benoist, the protagonists of the first ascent. In the years that followed, the project grew with new lines and new climbers: first with Léo Billon and Amaury Fouillade, then with Léo Billon and Enzo Oddo. Today, with “Les Berbères,” Symon Welfringer, Esteban Daligault, Virgile Devin, and Baptiste Obino add a new piece to this vertical narrative of vision, perseverance, and team spirit.
The new route develops on technical and demanding terrain, in the heart of one of the most iconic massifs in world mountaineering, once again confirming Mont Blanc as a privileged terrain for large contemporary first ascents.
“Les Berbères” is not just a new line on granite: it is testimony to a type of mountaineering that continues to evolve, where exploration and creativity still have room, even on the most famous faces of the Alps.
