Punta de la Crosatie

Punta de la Crosatie

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 45.68440°N / 7.04704°E
Activities Activities: Mountaineering
Additional Information Elevation: 9622 ft / 2933 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

From left: Bec Taillà...
 
 
 
 
 
Punta de la Crosatie is a strangely shaped mountain, which shows a different look from every new viewpoint. It rises between Mont Paramont and Torre Tonda along a ridge composed of Torre Tonda (2.583m), Torre del Tighet (2.976m), Colle del Tighet (2.931m), Becca Taillà (2.983m), Colle de la Crosatie (2.838m), Punta de la Crosatie (2.933m), Colle delle Molette (2.774m), Monte Pit (2.914m), and Mont Paramont (3.301m).From the summit of Punta de la Crosatie one enjoys an exceptional 360-degree view of all the mountains of Valle d'Aosta. At the foot of the peak, across its namesake col (2.838m), goes the new trail of "Alta Via n° 2", which leads to Alpeggio di Promoud (2.016m) and, via Colle des Usellettes (or Haut Pas) to Rifugio Alberto Deffeyes (2.494m).

First Ascents

  • First on the summit: Unknown.
  • In Winter: Unknown.

Getting There

BY CAR:
  • From Torino, Milano, etc: Motorway A5. Exit at Aosta Ovest.
  • From Switzerland: through the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel or the namesake Pass.
  • From France: through the Mont Blanc Tunnel or Petit Saint Bernard Pass: It is not necessary to take Motorway A5: you can drive on SS.26, in the direction of Leverogne.

 

BY PLANE:
  • Aeroporto "Corrado Gex" Saint Christophe (Aosta).

Route

From the City of Aosta (583m) follow the SS.26 in the direction of Mont Blanc. Near the Village of Leverogne (780m) turn left on the Regional Road for Valgrisenche. Go past the Villages of Rochefort, La Ravoire, and Chamencon; then turn right for the Village of Planaval (1.557m), about 10 km from Leverogne. You can park here and continue on foot along the paved road in the direction of the Village of La Clusaz (1.631m): once out of the village, turn left after two switchbacks. But, if you are lucky, you can also park your car just in front of the start of the trail, that is clearly visible and well-marked. The ascent begins here: gain the initial, steep 500m of elevation and go past a water outlet at 2.060m to reach the first plateau. Continue along the bank of the stream that flows from the Château Blanc Glacier. Past a small wooden bridge, the trail climbs steeply for another 100m before reaching the second plateau, where another small bridge is located. Cross the bridge and aim straight for the Baracche (Huts) of Fond (2.340m, 2h'00). Keep right along the trail that leads to Lago di Fond (2.438m, 2h'10). Cross the lake outlet and follow the trail, which is again very steep, until Colle de la Crosatie (2.838m). From here follow the ridge for the last 100m, paying special attention in case of snow or wind. The ridge leads to the Summit of Punta de la Crosatie (2.933m, 4h'00 from Planaval).

Difficulty

The route is rated EE (expert hikers).

Equipment for the Route

Standard mountaineering equipment.

Campings

Remember that free camping is forbidden (except for emergency reasons, over 2.500m, from darkness until dawn).

Mountain Condition

  • Meteo: you can find all the needed informations at the official site of the Valle d'Aosta Region:
  • Valle d'Aosta Meteo

Webcam

  • WEBCAM on Aosta Valley:
  • Webcam

Books and Maps

BOOKS:

  • "Guida dei Monti d'Italia – Alpi Graie Centrali" di Alessandro Giorgetta - Club Alpino Italiano/Touring Club Italiano, 1985 (in Italian).
  • "Guida delle Alpi Occidentali" di Giovanni Bobba e Luigi Vaccarone C.A.I. Sezione di Torino Volume II (parte II) 25-05-1896.

MAPS:

  • Kompass "Gran Paradiso Valle d'Aosta Sentieri e Rifugi" Carta turistica 1:50.000.
  • L'Escursionista "La Thuile-Piccolo San Bernardo" Carta dei sentieri (n° 2) 1:25.000.
  • I.G.M. Istituto Geografico Militare Maps 1:25.000.

Important Information

Useful numbers

  • Protezione Civile Valdostana località Aeroporto n° 7/A Saint Christophe (Ao) Tel. 0165-238222.
  • Bollettino Meteo (weather info) Tel. 0165-44113.
  • Unità Operativa di Soccorso Sanitario Tel. 118.

Acknowledgements

I want to thank my two SP friends who respectively helped me to prepare the text (Livioz) and mainly to translate it Fabio (Brenta).