Copa, Various Activity. It was reported that French climbers were busy on Copa (6173m) in April and May, 1997. Gael Bouquet des Chaux first soloed the Southwest Pillar, a 400-meter rock climb (D+) that ends at P.5300m, in six hours on April 27. He then teamed up with S. Goriatchec and climbed the southwest ridge and south face of Copa on May 3, 1997. The 1300-meter route, which took the men 11 hours to climb and for which they proposed a name of La Marguerite del l’Adjudant Chef, finished on the summit ridge at ca. 5900 meters and was graded ED1. Bouquet des Chaux then teamed up with Gilles Grindler to climb a longer, independent line on the southwest pillar. Top 93 (TD) was 600 meters long and finished on the “top” of P.5300m. Bouquet des Chaux then went on to solo the 400-meter pillar (D+, one section of F6a) right of the normal route’s couloir the same day. On May 7, all three climbed the normal route to the main summit of the peak. (High Mountain Sports 189)