Aiguilles Crochues
We took no ice axes or crampons (thanks to an earlier report on this site), and this was a good choice. We climbed in heavy mountain boots, but some other teams climbed in approach shoes. The col in ascent and the ridge were free from snow, but there was a snow field to walk down in our descent. We had batons/ poles and this helped. This would be okay in approach shoes in my opinion.
Itinerario salita
From Index, then accessed via the Col des Aiguilles Crochues.
Itinerario discesa
Just after the final summit (point 2837m) we turned R and descended the scree to gain the snow field in the bowl, then went straight to Refuge du Lac Blanc.