Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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45.49750°N / 7.04440°E |
Route Type:
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Hike / Basic Snow |
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Time Required:
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A few days |
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Difficulty:
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EE+ |
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Approach
Bruil, main village of Rhêmes Notre Dame. See "Getting There" section for further details.
Route Description
Grande Traversiere and Grande Rousse tour - 4 days / 3 nights.
This is a circular tour only for well trained trekkers. Only places 'round huts are crowded. The rest of this trek will lead you in wild lands. Enjoy.
Day 1
Leave your car in Bruil village (main village of Rhêmes Notre Dame). Follow for Thumel direction (bus or autostop are suggested), where paved road end. Follow indication for Benevolo Hut, as in Val di Rhêmes ascent route. 4h00min total time.
Day 2
Hike to Goletta lake, then Bassac Derè Pass. Climb for Becca della Traversiere summit, come back to Bassac Derè Pass then descent to Bezzi Hut to end this second day. 6h30min total time.
Day 3
Don't head for Valgrisenche following trail n. 12 to Usselieres. Make your trip more interesting climbing again trail 12A-B-C until 2.486 m., Plan di Vaudet, where you came from on Day2.
Once reached the plan, follow N direction. There is a "hanging-hidden" trail, running half-way between bottom valley and highest summits. Take your time to spend 1 hour to visit wonderful San Martino lakes (2.770 m.). The hidden trail goes on north direction, and leaves Truc Blanc, Becca Giasson on right side. A steep hike get onto Becca Refreita ridge. The Invergnan basin will appear in all his wilderness. Great sightseen on NW face of Grande Rousse, an impressive ice wall.
Cross this valley, meet Bivacco Ravelli crossroad (don't follow for it, nor don't descend to Usselieres, never!) and remain always at half-way toward Epee Hut direction. In half an hour shelter will be reached, 2.370 m. (it takes about 7 hours - San Martino lakes included - for Day3).
Day 4
From Chalet de l'Epee Hut, head to Col de Fenetre, 2.840 m. - 1h30min. Trail marked as "AV2", Alta Via 2.
A very steep descent will bring you back to Bruil (Rhêmes Notre Dame) village (4h00min.).
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Essential Gear
Alpin wear, crampons and ice-axe in early season or with snow on trails (necesserary only for Becca della Traversiere summit and neighbour of Col Bassac Derè).
Huts & Shelters ...
1) Rifugio Benevolo, Rhêmes Notre Dame, tel. +39.0165.936143 - CAI Torino - 61 beds. Winter side: 5 beds.
2) Rifugio Bezzi, mt. 2284, Valgrisenche, tel. +39.0165.97129 - CAI Torino, 100 beds. Winter side: 10 beds.
3) Chalet de l'Epée, 2.370 mt, tel. +39.0165.97215, private. Beds: 60. Winter side: 8 beds.
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Bivouac
1) Ravelli, 2.860 mt., 9 places