Grands Couloirs

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Geography

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Routes

Page Type: Route

Location: Savoie, France, Europe

Lat/Lon: 45.42260°N / 6.76890°E

Route Type: Glacier Climb

Time Required: One to two days

Difficulty: PD -

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Page By: Huberschwiller

Created/Edited: Apr 5, 2004 / Apr 17, 2004

Object ID: 160650

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Page Score: 86.04% - 2 Votes

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Table of Contents

Approach

Start point is Pralognan (access : see main page)

Route Description

First day : from Pralognan les Fontanettes, walk along the teleski and follow the GR 55 to the cabane des Barmettes (2010 m). Cross the Glière (torrent). You arrive at the chalets de la Glière. In short bends you climb to the Pont de Chanton and to the "Lac des Vaches" (icy swamp in early summer, ford on rock plates). You pass by the left the Aiguille de la Vanoise (2796 m) and you arrive to the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise (Refuge Felix Faure, 2517 m).

Second day : From the hut, climb slightly in the direction of the summit of the Grande Casse to a stonefield which leads to the glacier des Grands Couloirs. Climb on the tong at right shore (1 h). Go up along the icetong and turn off towards the left and cross many crevasses (prudence). Climb then in the middle of the glacier and get to the right bank. Over these slopes you arrive to the col des grands couloirs. Climb direction south to the summit ridge. The principal summit of the Grande Casse is near behind. Almost the whole French Alps are visible from the summit !

Essential Gear

Iceaxe, crampons, rope