Team Jasa’s Early Ascent of Grandes Jorasses Cassin

Summiters Club had the opportunity to speak directly with Grigoriy Chshukin, climber and member of Team Jasa, to hear the full story behind their bold early-season ascent of the Grandes Jorasses Cassin route. In this interview, Grigoriy shared the inside details of their preparation, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they took away from this memorable climb.

For many alpinists, the Cassin route on the Grandes Jorasses is not just a climb – it’s a dream. A line so classic, so steeped in history, that it calls climbers from all over the world to test themselves on its proud, towering buttress. For Team Jasa, that call finally came this season.

Grigoriy Chshukin and his partners, Omar Asserbekov and Marius Gruzauskas, had long been drawn to the Cassin. When they saw that the conditions seemed acceptable and the weather window wide enough, they made their decision. It was time to go.

Photo: Grigoriy Chshukin Instagram

Preparing for the Climb: Minimalist and Focused

The team wasted no time diving into route research. They meticulously studied previous ascents, pored over route descriptions, and reached out to climbers who had already tackled the Cassin. Every detail mattered.

But it wasn’t just about knowledge – they made deliberate choices to travel light. “I didn’t even bring a sleeping pad,” Grigoriy recalled. Omar left behind his warm down jacket. Every gram counted on this route.

Why the Cassin?

The Cassin route follows a prominent buttress that rises nearly the entire length of the face, making it one of the safest lines on the Grandes Jorasses’ north face, especially in summer. “In fact,” Grigoriy explained, “it’s pretty much the only route on this face that can be climbed relatively safely in summer conditions.”

For Team Jasa, this wasn’t just another tick on the list – it was part of their bigger journey together. A few years earlier, they had climbed Cerro Torre in Patagonia, an experience that forged a strong team bond and planted the idea of traveling the world to climb iconic routes. Since then, they’ve built a shared vision: not just to climb, but to document their adventures, develop alpinism in Kazakhstan, and inspire others through their Jasa Universe project (you can follow their climbs on YouTube and Instagram at @jasa_universe).

The Climb: Thunderstorms and the Red Chimney

The ascent began with a tough first day. Just hours in, a heavy thunderstorm rolled in, soaking the team and forcing them into a slow, cold bivouac on a tiny ledge where they had no choice but to sit through the night.

Day two was their big push. They moved steadily until they reached the crux of the route: the Red Chimney. This steep, crumbling section of rock demanded absolute focus. Carelessness here could easily dislodge fragile holds. But despite the danger, the team climbed through it smoothly and safely.

“The route was in the condition we expected,” Grigoriy said. “It was harder than in dry, ideal summer conditions, but we were prepared for that. We brought extra gear and food just in case.”

The Long Way Down

The descent proved almost as epic as the climb itself. Navigating under dangerous hanging seracs cost them valuable time, and the deep, slushy snow drained their energy on the long way down toward Courmayeur. By the time they reached the bottom, the team was exhausted – but waiting for them was their friend Gosha, who met them with a car and drove them back to Chamonix. A small but perfect ending to a massive day.