Overview
La Grande Traversiére (3496 m) e la Punta Bassac sud (3461 m)
Goodlooking mountain that raiss with a steep crest above the Val di
Rhemes.
It is situated on the crest watershed, that separates from north to south the Valgrisenche from the Val di Rhemes.
In the past it was mostly covered of glaciers, but actually remains only the one called "Bassac", placed on the northwest side of the mountain.
The almost extinguished glaciers on the east side, are called north, central and south glaciers of Traversiere.
It is a little striking mountain if seen from near because hidden from its
rocky spurs, especially above the Comba di Goletta.
It's mostly composed by bad quality rocks (strange green color called Sempertino in same parts), and this renders it little attractive from a climbing point of view.
But it's high summit is a good panoramic point on this part
of Graie Alps.
Over the pricipale summit, others 3 distinguished peaks are part of
this mountain: Punta Bassac Derè(3356m),Punta Bassac Sud(3461m),Punta Bassac Nord(3387m).
Pano from Granta Parei.
How to get there
FROM ITALY:From Valgrisanche
From the motorway A5 Montebianco(from Geneve,Turin,Milan),take the
exit Aosta Ovest and follow the direction to Arvier-Valgrisanche.
From Val di Rhemes
From the motorway A5 Montebianco(from geneve,Turin,Milan),take the
exit Aosta Ovest and follow the direction to Villeneuve-Val di Rhemes.
FROM FRANCE:
From Val d'Isere
From the village of Val d'Isere,enter in the area called "Reserve Naturelle de la Grande Sassiere".
From here,few routes,through Col de Rheme
Golette and Col de la Tsanteleina,permit to reach the Italian side
at the foot of this mountain.
FROM OTHERS PARTS:
Is possible to reach the Aosta Valley also through the:
France-pass of Piccolo St.Bernardo(closed in winter).
France-Tunnel of Mont Blanc.
Swiss-Tunnel of Grand St.Bernardo.
Swiss-pass of Grand St.Bernardo(closed in winter).
First ascents history
-Southwest ridge-G.Bobba/C.Therisod 16.07.1899-North ridge-W.Coolidge/C.Almer 24.08.1885
-Northwest wall-Aldo e Ester Bonacossa 13.07.1926
-East ridge-G.B.Bozzino 14.07.1909
Routes
-Southwest ridge-From ref.Bezzi and glacier of Bassac.The mostsafe and usual route.(difficult PD)
-Southeast flank-From ref.Benevolo and the rest of central glacier
of Traversiere.Usual route from Val di Rhemes.Easy but not very safe cause
unstable rocks.(difficult F+)
-North ridge-From Col Bassac.Not very safe climb on bad rocks.
(difficult AD/II°-III°)
-Northeast flank-From ref.Benevolo and the rest of northern glacier
of Traversiere.(difficult PD+/45°)
-East ridge-From ref.Benevolo.(difficult III°/IV°)
Routes of minor tops
Punta BASSAC NORD (3387m):Soth ridge: From Colle Bassac (diff. F+)
Norteast flank: From glacier of Truc Blanc (diff. F+)
Punta BASSAC SUD (3461m):
Northeast ridge: From central glacier of Traversiere (diff. II°)
South ridge: From southern glacier of Traversiere (diff. II°/III°)
Punta BASSAC DERE'(3352m):
Northeast wall: From southern glacier of Traversiere (diff. PD+)
West flank: From glacier of Bassac (diff. PD+)
South ridge: From ref. Bezzi (diff. III°/IV°)
Accomodations
Ref.Bezzi
Refuge BezziValgrisanche
2284m.From Usellieres/lake of Beauregard,take the path n°12.2 hours.80 places.Tel.0165-97129
Rifugio Bezzi
Ref.Benevolo
Refuge BenevoloVal di Rhemes
2285m.From Thumel,take the path n°13.1.30 hours.61 places.Tel.0165-936143
Rifugio Benevolo
Red Tape
Grande Traversière is situated in the nearby of "Gran Paradiso National Park".This (unfortunately) make it a very stricly forbidden area for camping,animals,parcking and many others restriction.
Links
www.rifugi-bivacchi.comMeteo Valle d'Aosta
Aineva.it
