Grange (Mont de)

Overview

Third peak of the "trilogy of the Chablais" (with the Cornettes de Bise and the Dent d'Oche), the Mont de Grange with his central and lonely position permits a large panorama from de Lake Geneva to the Mont-Blanc range. His name Grange (= grumpy) results from his dominant position putting the valley under his shades. His neighbour, the Cornettes de Bise only 7,5 km distant have been mesured only 50 cm higher !

This huge pyramid has 4 ridges : Coicon in the S, the easiest to climb, Belair-Pertuis in the W, Trois Evèques in the N and Mattes in the E. From the summit two couloirs drop down in northern direction : Chemine Comb and Pertuis Comb.

It’s difficult, in mountains, to estimate distances. Sometimes, one has the feeling to almost reach the goal and, just after a curve, one sees that there is still a way to go. Sometimes, as well, one has the feeling that it will take hours to go there and one is astonished by the quickness one could reach the goal.

Mont de Grange is such a misleading mountain.

Photo Gallery

Getting There

Start point : Val d'Abondance (Abondance, Chapelle d'Abondance or Châtel)

How to get to Val d'Abondance ?

-By air: Geneva Cointrin. Abondance is located at 1 h from Geneva and Châtel at 1h15 from Geneva International Airport served by the biggest airline companies.Connections Airport / Resort : transfers by train to Aigle or Monthey (Switzerland)

-By train
In France : Thonon-les-bains Railway station with high speed trains (TGV).
Information and bookings : SNCF
phone +33 (0)8 36 35 35 35
internet : http://www.sncf.com

In Switzerland : Aigle and/or Monthey Railway stations

-The easiest route begins at the alpine pasture of Lenlevay which can be reached over Chatel (40 km from Thonon) or over Abondance (28 km from Thonon).

Red Tape

The Mont de Grange is a hunting park but no permits are required. It's an ideal place to meet ibex, chamois and grouse.

Routes Overview

1) Coicon Crest = Normal route (S ridge) : easy (T3) but crowded.

2) Pertuis Crest over Belair T4

3) E Ridge PD-

4) NW face : route of the "removal men" : AD+. Loose rocks make this climb too dangerous.

5) NW couloir on the left : AD. A winter or spring climb when the couloir is snow-covered.

6) NW couloir on the right : the same conditions as 5)

7) Pertuis couloir with skis
400 m Diff D+ 50°

8) Little couloir of Pertuis with skis
200 m Diff AD+ 40° Much easier then Pertuis couloir

9) E face with skis
350 m Diff D- 45° Avalanches.

10) SE face with skis
350 m Diff AD 38° Faible

11) W - SW face with skis
600 m Diff AD+ 40° Moyenne
.
12) SW direct with skis
400 m Diff AD 40° Moyenne

13) Chemine couloir with skis
200 m Diff D 45°

14) Mattes Point : couloir de la brèche with skis
100 m Diff AD 40° Faible

15) Mattes Point : N scarf with skis
100 m Diff D+ 57°

Sight from the summit

In the north, a part of the Lake of Geneva, Jura range, Dent d'Oche, Mont Chauffe, Cornettes de Bise, Chapelle d'Abondance.
Eastwards Chatel, Alpes Vaudoises, Diablerets, Berner Oberland
In the south : Alpes valaisannes, Dents du Midi, Mont Ruan, Dents Blanches
Westwards : Hauts Forts, Avoriaz, Mont-Blanc range, Aiguille Percée, Roc d'Enfer, Roc de Tavaneuse.

Secondary summits of Mont de Grange

- La Corne
- Pointe des Mattes
- Pointe de la Kerne
- Pointe de Belair
- Arête de Coicon

When To Climb

All the year. Beautiful skitours

Camping

Camping is forbidden in the reserve of the Mont de Grange. Good campings in Chatel and Abondance.

Huts

- Chalet de Trébentaz 1900 m
under the Mont de Grange, in the high vallon des Mattes. Access over les Mattes, les Crottes, les Louennaz or La Chapelle-d'Abondance
Contact : M. Norbert Thoule - La Ravine - 74390 - Châtel - Tél. 04.50.73.26.17
24 pl., 1 dortmitory, speciality : cheese

- Refuge des Tinderets
Serge Bigot
Chalet « Le Bouton d’Or »
74360 Abondance
Tel /Fax : 04.50.73.09.76
Hut Tel : 04.50.81.60.56

Mountain Conditions

Abondance : (33) 04 50 73 02 90
e-mail : abondance@valdabondance.com
Meteo Chatel: (33) 04 50 73 22 44
e-mail : touristoffice@chatel.com

Web cam of Mont de Grange

Books and maps

Book : Randonnées pédestres entre Léman et Mont-Blanc
de Pierre Millon (in French only) ISBN 2857447647

Map : Carte IGN Chablais-Faucigny-Genevois

External Links

• 
  Dent d'Oche summitpost main page
  
• 
  Cornettes de Bise summitpost main page
  
• Chatel
  Home page from Chatel (in english)
  
• Meteo Chatel
  Meteorology
  
• skitours
  Information about skiing in the Mont de Grange range
  
• Web cam of Mont de Grange
  Web cam of Mont de Grange
  

Images

View Grange (Mont de) Image Gallery - 59 Images