Warning
Dome de Vaugelaz (2217 m) and Petit Châtelet
(2461 m)
Le Mont Rosset (2449 m)
Col de Charbonnière (2494 m)
Pointe de Combe Bénite (2575 m)
Point de Plovezan (2644 m)
Refuge de la Balme (1984 m)
Refuge de Presset (2514 m)
Bibliography
Be Prepared
In any case, the village of Valezan will
not be held responsible for accidents resulting from informations use related to
winter and summer excursions contained in its web site. The indicated
excursions are accessible to any guy in good physical form and get used with
the mountain environment. Mountain present dangers and must be practised in a
responsible way.
A behaviour and an appropriate equipment to
the mountain environment must be adopted for the practice of the ski touring,
namely :
Clothing and personal equipment :
Thermal high and low underclothing
Wool or synthetic socks
Trousers 100% impermeable and breathing
Polar fibre jacket or sweater
Impermeable jacket of protection 100%,
wind-cutter and breathing
Gloves, headwear and sunglasses high
protection
Sun lotion
Avalanche transceivers in "on"
position with new piles
Skiing equipment :
Ski boots for rando
Ski touring
Freeride bindings + crampons
climbing skins + skin glue
Resistant telescopic ski poles with broad
discs
Equipment to be carried :
Backpack 40 l
Pack safety avalanche with shovel,
avalanche probes and safety accessories
Super light harness + sling, carabiners and
rando rope
Orientation pack with altimeter, map and
compass
Gourde or integrated hydration system
Gloves and headwear
Expedition food
Route
Climb up
: Car park located in top of the
village (1210 m), go along the communal road which serves the mountain of
Valezan. Cross the "Croix du Châtelard" (1358 m) and continue to the
hamlet "Les Fours" (1588 m).
To reach "Les Fours", you can
also follow the GR5 trail.
Once at
"Les Fours", go up the Western Southern slopes, cross the
localities of "the Crows", "Arcénieux" (1804 m),
"Lessière" (1894 m) and reach the Dome to 2217 m, called "high
altitude airport" in accordance with an old project now abandoned.
Continue on a Southern croup which narrows and
stiffens before reaching "Le petit Châtelet" (2461 m).
Descent : By the same way.
Additional information
:
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIF
DU BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Top of the page
Route
Approach:
From Valezan, drive down in direction of La
Côte d'Aime. Cross the village of "Montméry" and go towards "La
Bergerie" on your right, at the first intersection. Continue this road to
the Car park located after "le foyer de ski de fond" ("Les
Pars" - 1400 m). In winter, the road is snow free unto the Car park.
According to the season, it is possible to go on this road beyond the Car Park.
Climb up: From the Car park, follow
up the road, pass over the bridge of "la Gitte" and continue to the
first hamlet ("La Gitte"). Leave the road then and go up by its left
bank the South-eastern small valley of "La Portette". Go through the
localities "Pre-Pinet", "Chèzeries" (1850 m). Under the
"Saint-Bernabé chapel", bear right, pass the LD "Chambrier"
and climb the full Southern slopes, not very steep which lead to the the Mont
Rosset farm (2117 m). Go on in the same direction while passing two hilltop
before reaching the top by a last "croup".
Descent: By the same way, or by
the communal refuge of "La Balme". To then go down the route of rise
on a hundred meters, bear right to reach the collar of the "Mont
Rosset" (warning, full Western slopes rather steepy t!). Go down to North towards
the refuge of La Balme. From the Refuge, descend the long small valley de
"l' Ormente" which joined the hamlet of "La Gitte" and
therefore, your starting point.
Additional information
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIF
DU BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Top
of the page
Route
Approach:
From Valezan, drive down in direction of La
Côte d'Aime. Cross the village of "Montméry" and go towards "La
Bergerie" on your right, at the first intersection. Continue this road to
the Car park located after "le foyer de ski de fond" ("Les
Pars" - 1400 m). In winter, the road is snow free unto the Car park.
According to the season, it is possible to go on this road beyond the Car Park.
Climb up : From the Car park,
follow up the road, pass over the bridge of "la Gitte" and continue
to the first hamlet ("La Gitte"). Leave the road then and go up by
its left bank the South-eastern small valley of "La Portette". Go
through the localities "Pre-Pinet", "Chèzeries" (1850 m).
Reach the "Saint-Bernabé chapel" and go up to the small valley of
"La Portette". Around 2120 m, take the South-eastern slopes on top of
the lake of "La Portette" to gain the "col de
Charbonnière". From the collar, it is possible to go up to the Rock of
Charbonnière (2738 m) by very steepy slopes (40 with 45°).
Descent: By the same way, or by
the communal refuge of "La Balme". To then go down the route of rise
on a hundred meters, bear right to reach the collar of the "Mont
Rosset" (warning, full Western slopes rather steepy t!). Go down to North
towards the refuge of La Balme. From the Refuge, descend the long small valley
de "l' Ormente" which joined the hamlet of "La Gitte" and
therefore, your starting point.
Additional information
:
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIF
DU BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Top
of the page
Route
Approach
:
From Valezan, drive down in direction of La
Côte d'Aime. Go through the village of "Montméry" and take the
direction of "Granier" on
your right, at the second intersection. Continue this road unto the
village of Granier. Continue to the ski-lift of "Chavonne".
Climb up : From the Car park, go up
the ski-lift of "Chavonne", then go up the east slopes in direction of "la roche à Thomas"
through the hamlets of "Thiabord" and "Pra Spa". By pass
"la roche à Thomas" to join the lake "Guio" (2272 m).
Continue by Southern East average slopes
to the Southern satellite (2513 m) of the point of "Combe
Bénite". Climb up the edge until the top.
Descent : By the same way, or for
the good skiers by the Northern face (Col de Corne Noir 2413 m, follow the
brook of Pouprezaz to the road of Cormet d'Arêches).
Additional information
:
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIF
DU BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Top
of the page
Route
Approach:
From Valezan, drive down in direction of La
Côte d'Aime. Cross the village of "Montméry" and go towards "La
Bergerie" on your right, at the first intersection. Continue this road to
the Car park located after "le foyer de ski de fond" ("Les
Pars" - 1400 m). In winter, the road is snow free unto the Car park.
According to the season, it is possible to go on this road beyond the Car Park.
Climb up : From the Car park,
follow up the road, pass over the bridge of "la Gitte" and continue
to the "Saint Guerin Chapel" - 1589 m. The small valley "de
l'Ormente" is setting in front of you. Around 1600 m, climb up the
constant Western Southern slopes until the top with some rather steepy passages.
Descent : By the same way.
Additional information
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIVE
OF BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Top
of the page
Route
Approach
:
From Valezan, drive down in direction of La
Côte d'Aime. Cross the village of "Montméry" and go towards "La
Bergerie" on your right, at the first intersection. Continue this road to
the Car park located after "le foyer de ski de fond" ("Les
Pars" - 1400 m). In winter, the road is snow free unto the Car park.
According to the season, it is possible to go on this road beyond the Car Park.
Climb up : From the Car park,
follow up the road, pass over the bridge of "la Gitte" and continue
to the "Saint Guerin Chapel" - 1589 m. The small valley "de
l'Ormente" is setting in front of you. Go up to the valley (approximately
one hour ) to 1863 m. The refuge
de la Balme is West, on your left.
Descent : By the same way.
Additional information
:
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIVE
OF BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Lodging :
Capacity: 20 places the winter
Guard: Bernard DUC - Noyeray - 73210 GRANIER
Phone: 04-79-55-54-43 or 06-84-35-07-41
Characteristics: Communal refuge of La Côte d'Aime
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of the page
Route
Approach
:
From Valezan, drive down in direction of La
Côte d'Aime. Cross the village of "Montméry" and go towards "La
Bergerie" on your right, at the first intersection. Continue this road to
the Car park located after "le foyer de ski de fond" ("Les
Pars" - 1400 m). In winter, the road is snow free unto the Car park.
According to the season, it is possible to go on this road beyond the Car Park.
Climb up : From the Car park,
follow up the road, pass over the bridge of "la Gitte" and continue
to the "Saint Guerin Chapel" - 1589 m. The small valley "de
l'Ormente" is setting in front of you. Go up to the valley (approximately
one hour ) to 1863 m. The refuge of "La Balme" is West, on your left.
Go up Western in the combe of the Grand-Fond. To then move straight and at
sight towards the refuge
of Presset.
Descent : By the same way.
Additional information
:
Chart IGN to the 1:25 000 - 3532 OT entitled MASSIVE
OF BEAUFORTIN MOÛTIERS.LA PLAGNE
Lodging :
Capacity: 22 places the winter
Guard: Nicolas LEROY - Les Villes Dessus - 73270
BEAUFORT SUR DORON
Phone: 06-87-54-09-18
Characteristics: Refuge CIF - CHAMBERY
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of the page
Other races are accessible since VALEZAN.
You will be able to find them in the following publications:
Ski touring - Savoy
134 routes of Ski-alpinism
Guide ARTOU by Emmanuel CABAU
Editions OLIZANE
Topo of Vanoise
Tarentaise - Beaufortain
Routes of high mountain
By Philippe DESLANDES and James MEREL
Guide IGN Mont Blanc - VANOISE
Guide RICHARD
Mont Blanc: Beaufortain - Aravis - Valley of Arly
286 routes of pedestrian excursions
COLD
If you are not prepared for cold weather you are likely to end up with
Frostbite "Frostnip". This happens when the fluid between the cells
freezes due to the skin exposure to the cold air, or the blood circulation is
constricted by either too tight boot, gloves, watchband or dehydration. First
degree frostbite "Frostnip" is when the skin surface is pale and has
waxy patches. To treat Frostnip you can warm the skin with another part of your
body. For example, placing your fingers against your body under your clothing.
If you ignore Frostnip it can lead to deep 3rd degree frostbite which can be
treated by thawing the affected area in warm water(not hot).
Frostbite awareness list: 1. Watch your skiing buddies for exposed pale waxy
skin. 2. Use a oil-based Sun Screen Lotion to help prevent exposed skin from
freezing. 3. Loosen up: Unbuckle your boots on the ski lift, loosen gloves,
wiggle fingers and toes periodically 4. Hydrate: Drink eight (8) glasses of
water daily. 5. No Streaking: Only ski naked on warm spring days. (just
checking)
Advance planning for your next Ski Trip begins way before the trip up the
mountain and starts with the choice of ski clothing. Good clothing selection
will keep your body warm on a cold ski mountain. The key to warmth is remaining
DRY with the proper ski apparel selection.
The basic principle used to stay warm in cold weather is layering. Layering
usually consist of three (3) elements which provides warmth and dryness. The
three (3) elements found in most Ski Apparel are: 1) Outer Shell 2) Insulation
3) Inter Lining.
SUN
Lets start from the top. Ultraviolet(UV) Sun Rays are reflected 90% by Snow
& Ice as compared to a perfectly white beach. For every 1,000 feet of elevation
sun rays are increased by 4%. This implies Sun Protection is greatly needed to
prevent sun burning, skin pealing, and skin cancers. Sun Protection Factor
(SPF) 15 or greater is highly recommended on ski trips. SPF 15 means a person
can stay in the sun without getting burned 15 times longer with the sunscreen
as compared to without. When choosing a Sun Screen look for chemicals like
cinnamate(effective against UV-B), Benzophenones(effective in snow & high
altitudes) and PABA (highly water resistant).
Also wear lip balm or chap stick with SPF. Eye protection is even more
important. Select Ski Goggles or Sun Blades with lenses that absorb at least
99% UV-B and 60% UV-A.
ALTITUDE
Altitude sickness symptoms can masquerade as a hangover and it's victims aren't
the people you might remotely expect. Recognize the Hangover Symptoms early
such as headache, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, and
fatigue. Acute Mountain sickness (AMS) is estimated to affect 25% of the people
traveling in altitude greater than 7,000 feet. Everybody is at risk from the
couch potato to a triathletes. Most experts agree that if you've had AMS,
you're apt to get it again; however if you're never had it. you're not immune.
Older people are less likely to be affected than teenagers and children. People
who live at high altitudes can be affected after spending time at sea
level.Also the air is drier and breathing is harder because our lose water when
you exhale. At Sea level air pressure is high and your blood feed on an
oxygen-rich diet. As elevation increases, the air pressure decreases with less
oxygen.
At 12,000 feet the air contains only 66% of the oxygen at Sea level. If AMS is
left untreated it could develop into the more serious High Altitude Pulmonary Edema(HAPE)
which is characterized by fluid in the lungs, dry cough and a frothy bloody
sputum. Also if AMS is untreated it could also lead to the deadly High Altitude
Cerebral Edema(HACE) which is characterized by fluid in the brain, intense
headache, vomiting, mental confusion, hallucinations and lack of muscle
coordination. Once at the acute stages treatment includes supplemental oxygen,
rapid descent, hospitalization and rest.
The good news is altitude sickness is easily preventable and treatable. Follow
the guidelines below:
1. Aggressive hydrating: drink 8 glasses of water daily.
2. Get acclimated by ascending slowly to higher elevations.
3. Take the first day slow and easy.
4. Stay away from dehydrates like alcohol and eat Hi Carbo/Low Fat Diet.
5. Use a Humidifier in your Condo
6. If you had previous AMS problems consider getting a prescription for
DIAMOXTC
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