Frudière also Frudiera Deep Valley /4
Page Type Page Type: Area/Range
Location Lat/Lon: 45.73410°N / 7.81195°E
Activities Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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Note



        La montagna chiama i suoi figli, ed essi rispondono fedelmente al suo appello…

                                                                                           Osvaldo Cardellina, Diario alpinistico, 1964-65


Page texts: @ OsvaldoCardellina "Osva", passed away on May 2, 2022. Page owners: Christian Cardellina e Osvaldo Cardellina. Any updates from September 12, 2022: Antonio Giani, page administrator, friend and climbing companion.

Testi della pagina: @ OsvaldoCardellina "Osva", scomparso il 2 maggio 2022. Proprietari pagina: Christian Cardellina e Osvaldo Cardellina. Eventuali aggiornamenti dal 12 settembre 2022: Antonio Giani, amministratore della pagina, amico e compagno di salite.

 

Approaching below Mont Néry Overview

The Frudiere Lake
Coming from Verrès Municipality, immediately before the Basin Estoul (directly above the Commune of Brusson) meet the small but ancient Village of Archésaz or Arcesaz (1.146m), which is the gateway to the above and along the Frudiera Walloon below the Northern Faces of Mont Nery or Nery, also known as Becca Frudiera (3.076m). We're taking the long Ayas Valley or Torrent Evançon that comes from the more Western Glaciers of Monte Rosa, beneath the high peaks of the Lyskamms. Immediately after Arcesaz the junction 1.145 meters (Roman name with "Arcus-Coesus" ie Arch Cut, while Brusson was "Bruxeum"; just beyond and above the Regional Road in locality Ciamousira or Chamosiraz 1.375 meters there is the old gold mine with rock crystals) part a Municipal Road that reaches Villages Curien (1.245m) and Graines (1.383/1.396m), the latter immediately preceded by its ancient Castle with squared Tower (1.313m). From here starts (sign of ban on driving cars) a private dirt farms road that reaches, first toward the Northeast, the Ruine Pastures (1.474m, 1.568m), under the homonym Mount; the same then heads East towards Alp Ponteille (1.553m), at the Torrent Chamen, to finally flex decisively towards Southeast achieving progressively in Southeast the Pastures Charbonnière, Collet, Restol, Pichiou, Rovetta and Champ Charlec (1.766m). Just beyond, between two other unnamed alpages, the same ends, while part of the path n° 9, which reaches almost immediately the small Village Frudière (1.849m; source with fountain). We're going to get from the media to the top of the Frudiera Walloon and, after reaching another alp with the name of Pichiou (1.942m; not to be confused with the previous year under the Pointe de la Garda), the trail turns sharply to the South while another secondary unnumbered proceeds on the bottom of the walloon (more direct but certainly more difficult and therefore cheaper) to reach the Alp Chatelet (2.027m). From here another change of direction at first South and then more toward Southeast decidedly East-northeast leads to the first of the two Lakes Frudiera, the largest (2.035m, E; 1h'30/2h'00 from the cartel prohibition after Graines) and on the Western slopes of Mont Taf (2.623m); through a circular tour along the South shore and then in the direction of the Northeast, winning a small rocky rampart which overlooks it, you will soon reach the second (2.230m) and in a short time the Frudiera Pass or Frudièrecoll (2.265m, EE; 0h'40 from first lake; 2h'15/2h'45 from start), located between the Mont Taf in North and West antetop Becca Frudiera or Mont Nery (3.026/7m), between this walloon and this of Forca in Valley of Gressoney above Pont Trenta Hamlet.

 

 

Arrivando da Verrès, subito prima della Conca di Estoul (direttamente sopra il Comune di Brusson) incontriamo il piccolo ma antico Villaggio d'Archésaz o Arcesaz (1.146 m), che costituisce la porta di ingresso al soprastante e lungo Vallone di Frudiera posto alle pendici Settentrionali del Mont Néry o Nery, detto anche Becca di Frudiera (3.076 m). Stiamo percorrendo la lunga Valle di Ayas o del Torrente Evançon proveniente dai Ghiacciai più Occidentali del Monte Rosa, sotto l'alte vette dei due Lyskamms. Subito dopo Arcesaz al bivio 1.145 metri (denominazione Romana con "Arcus-Coesus" cioé Arco Tagliato, mentre Brusson era "Bruxeum"; appena più avanti e al di sopra della Strada Regionale in località Ciamousira o Chamosiraz 1.375 m esiste la vecchia miniera aurifera con cristalli di rocca) si diparte una Strada Comunale raggiungente i Villaggi di Curien (1.245 m) e Graines (1.383/1.396 m), quest'ultima subito preceduta dal suo antico Castello con torre quadra (1.313 m). Da questa località inizia (cartello di divieto di transito per le auto) una strada poderale che raggiunge, dapprima verso Nordest, le Alpi Ruine (1.474 m, 1.568 m), sotto l'omonimo Monte; la stessa poi si dirige a Est verso l'Alpe Ponteille (1.553 m), presso il Torrent Chamen, per infine flettere decisamente verso Sudest raggiungendo progressivamente gli Alpeggi di Charbonnière, Collet, Restol, Pichiou, Rovetta e Champ Charlec (1.766 m). Appena oltre, tra due altri innominati alpeggi, la stessa termina, mentre parte il sentiero n° 9 che raggiunge quasi subito il piccolo Villaggio di Frudière (1.849 m; sorgente con fontanile). Stiamo per entrare dalla parte media a quella superiore del Vallone di Frudiera e, dopo aver raggiunto un altra alpe con il nome di Pichiou (1.942 m; da non confondere con la precedente sotto la Pointe de la Garda), il sentiero piega decisamente a Sud, mentre un altro secondario non numerato procede sul fondo del vallone (più diretto ma sicuramente meno agevole e quindi conveniente), raggiungendo l'Alpe di Chatelet (2.027 m). Da qui un altro cambio di direzione dapprima più verso Sudest e poi decisamente ad Est-nordest conduce al primo dei due Laghi di Frudiera, il più grande (2.035 m; E; 1h'30/2h'00 dal cartello di divieto dopo Graines) e posto alle pendici Occidentali del Mont Taf (2.623 m); tramite un giro circolare lungo la sponda Sud e poi con direzione Nordest, vincendo un piccolo spalto roccioso che lo domina, in breve si raggiunge il secondo Lago (2.230 m) ed in breve tempo il Colle di Frudiera o Frudièrecoll (2.265 m; EE; 0h'40 dal primo lago; 2h'15/2h'45 dalla partenza), posto tra il Mont Taf a Nord e l'antecima Ovest della Becca di Frudiera o Mont Néry (3.026/7 m), tra l'omonimo vallone e quello di Forca in Val di Gressoney sopra il Villaggio di Pont Trenta.

 

Getting There

BY CAR:

  • From TORINO, MILANO, etc: Motorway A5. Exit at IVREA or Quincinetto (PIEDMONT) From IVREA Town: in West (Southern side) to Pont Saint Martin, Verrès Municipalities in East from Aosta Town. From Courmayeur Resort: in East-southeast to Aosta, Nus, Chatillon, Saint Vincent, Verrès Municipalities.
  • From Verrès to Val d'Ayas Valley From Verrès (549m), with Regional Road, to Challant Saint Victor (765m), Challant Saint Anselme (1.060m), Archésaz Hamlet (1.146m), Brusson (1.332m) Municipalities; wanting, continuing to Northwest to Antagnod-Ayas (1.709m) Commune, below Mounts Tantané and Zerbion also in North towards Champoluc (1.570m) and Saint Jacques(1.670m) Communes at the end of Evançon or Ayas Valley and under the Western side of Monte Rosa (Rollin Hump, Breithorns, Pollux and Castor).
  • From FRANCE: through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Entrèves/Courmayeur. By Little Saint Bernard Pass, closed since November until half May to La Thuile Valley - Pré Saint Didier - Aosta - Verrès Municipalities. It is not necessary to take Motorway A5: you can drive on SS.26, in the direction of AOSTA - IVREA - TURIN.

BY PLANE: 

  • Aeroporto "Corrado Gex" Saint Christophe (Aosta).

Summits & Passes

 
Description clockwise starting from the West above Graines to Hills, Passes & Summits to get to the West-northwest over Curien. (For the approaches see above Overview)

 

 
1) - Pointe de la Garda (2.332m). From the large saddle (2.163m) or Northwestern Garda Pass through a small path or traces in West, immediately under the thread of short and easy East-northeast Crest (E; 0h'20 from the saddle; 1h'30/1h'45 from Fenêtre Alp or Ranzola Hill). Annotation and advice: you can reach the Punta de la Garda also down from the Punta della Regina; in this case it falls away below the saddle to the West by a short ridge which then becomes a wider and steep grassy slope with scattered trees. It is an easy run but that requires attention, especially if it is made with fresh snow. To do this small crossing must have some experience of how to Hiking in the mountains; in each case is to be avoided with the snow for what it is best to return via the North Ridge to the Ranzola Hill to eventually cross to the Southwest on North Slopes.
 
2) - Garda West-northwestern Hill or Saddle (2.163/6m). From Fenêtre Alp (2.083m) through the path n° 9A before in Southeast, after South to large saddle, between Punta della Regina and Punta de la Garda. Variant: from Arescoll through the unnumbered path in Southwest to junction with previous route neighbor the upper part of Reine Torrent (T/E/F; 0h'30/0h'40 from the both or 1h'15/1h'30 from the parking of Resort).
 
3) - Pointe de la Regina (+; 2.387m). From Ranzola Hill E/F; 0h'30/0h'40). Also from Garda East-southeastern Hill also Gombetta Pass (0h'20).
 
4) - Garda East-southeastern Hill also Gombetta Pass (2268m). From Arescoll with easy descent crossing in Southeast to point 2.145 meters; from this with Southwestern direction to mini pond 2.186 meters and Hill (E/F; 1h'00/1h'10 from Ranzola Hill; 2h'30/3h'00 Estoul).
 
5) - Mont Rena also Wisomattòspétz (+; 2512m). From Ranzola Hill through paths n° 3B/3A to the Garda Southeast Hill (E/F; 0h'30); from this to small Saddle of Pra Bianco (around 2.400 meters; not to be confused with the Pra Bianco Pass (2.331m), just to the East. Signals and path-traces) and with small path and following debris traces on the North-northwest Ridge to Summit (EE/F+; 1h'10/1h'20 from Ranzola Hill).
 
6) - Mont Taille (2.561m) and nearby Weissmatten (2.456m).
a) - From Rena with traverse in crest and, after a small carving 2.492 meters, circumventions to the Western Face Mont Taille or with rock climbing;
b) - continue East on terminal crossing on Western Crest of Weissmatten. Remark: the entire crossing of these three Summits requires experience and prudence because, although the path is signaled, the same spread for about a Kilometer through grassy slopes very steep and exposed to the West, Southwest, South-southwest and the overcoming of rocks not difficult (I°/I°+) but often crumbling and rotten; is more a path to chamoises Hunters rather than suitable for Hikers. Be avoided altogether in snow presence, especially when it is fresh and tends to glide over the grassy slopes (EE/A; F to F +; 1h'15/01h'45 for the both complete traverse).
 
7) - Mont Taf (2.623m). From Mont Rena with traverse on ridge to the Sout-southeast on North-northwest Ridge, discarding West the Mont Taille (EE/F+ 1h'30/2h'00 from Ranzola Hill. Also from Frudièrecoll before through path n° 1A up to the point 2.416 meters (continuation of the same with descent towards Petersch Gombò and Gressoney), after along Southeast short Crest with easy but exposed route (EE/F+; 1h'00/1h'15).
 
8) - Frudièrecoll or Frudiera Pass (2.265m). Starting Graines Village with hemi circular route on dirt road and path to first lake; from this to second Frudière Lochs and Western Slope in terminal part (EE; 0h'40 from the first Frudière Lake; 2h'15/2h'45 from departure by Graines).
Corno Maria, Mont Nery and Punta di Soleron from the upper Lake Frudiere
9) - Marienhorn also Corno Maria (2.767m). This mountain is located on the end of the Ridge Northeastern of Mont Nery, where precipitates with a large rock face above the Forca Walloon and the Alp Henniciuken (2.000m), in the Gressoney Valley. The constant fall of stones from the same, despite the compact appearance of its plates, to prohibit forced by the beginning of 2000 the path (barrier with sign) downhill to the Village of Trenta (1.158m) at the Lys Torrent; here you have to use to get off the trail n° 1A, after a short climb to Mount Taf, shall be directed towards the Northeast, reaching the Weissmatten Cable Car (2.043m), whence the Camping Gressoney. You can climb from the Pass of Frudiera reaching the collar of about 2.680 meters on the the Northeast Crest of Nery and through the easy and short, but exposed to the Southeast, Southwest Ridge (EE/A; 1h'15/1h'30 from pass); or going directly scree followed by large blocks on the West Slope. So June 25th, 1995 by Osvaldo and Marco Cardellina Cossard starting Estoul Village at the Ranzola Hill and subsequent crossing on Mont Rena, Mont Taille and Mont Taf to the Hill of Frudiera; from this through upper moraine with the final climb through the West Wall and descent to the collar 2.680m, via the Southeast Ridge.
 
10) - Mont Néry also Becca di Frudiera (+ 3.075m). We list all the routes starting from the East, North and West into the Basin of Frudière:
a) - From Graines to Frudière Alpage and to the more great Frudière Loch; after through Northern Slope of large Saddle about 2.890/5 meters and West Ridge to the Western Ante Top (3.027m) and Top (A/F+; from PD- to PD; 2h'45/3h'15 from Lake; 5h'15/5h'45 from Graines Village).
b) - Through Northwestern Face of Ante Top 3.027 meters, upper snowfield, small triangolar wall and West Ridge in final part, by Guido De Rege and Giuseppe Wuillermin in July 1925; first winter Emilio Cappelli and Alberto Linty in February 26/27th, 1965 and first solo by Pier Luigi Ferrero May 02th, 1987; all the ascents through the left gully of around 250/60 meters in final part below the West Ridge (A/PD+/AD-; 2h'30/3h'00).
c) - Through Northern E'peron to Ante Summit 3.027 meters and West Ridge. From Frudièrecoll or from two Frudière Lakes directly on North small Spur, by Giulio and Tito Zanetti in July 31th, 1923, with passages from I°//II°/II°+ up to III°-/III° along 600 meters (A/PD+; 3h'00/3h'30).
d) - Through Northern great snowfield (27°/32°), triangular snowfield (33/35°), little gully (36°/38°) to Western Ridge, between Ante Top 3.027 meters and the Summit, and final easy climbing by the same (A; from F to F+; 2h'30/2h'45 from Frudière Pass; 5h'00/5h'30 from Graines).
e) - From Frudèrecoll through a large snowfield (27°/30°) on Northern Slope and rowards North-northeast Crest in superior sector (in the last quarter of the ridge) and Western Ridge in terminal part, by Edoardo Ferrero, lone in Summer 1984 (A/F/F+; 2h'00/2h'15 from Frudière Pass).
f) - From Frudèrecoll through Northern Slope and directly to Summit on North Rib, by Osvaldo Cardellina, solo in October 05th, 2002, with passages from II° to III°+ (A/PD+/AD-; 3h'30/4h'00 Frdièrecoll; PD+/AD-; 2h'15/2h'30 from the rocky base in the last around 230/40 meters).
g) - From Frudèrecoll through Northeast Crest from the collar around 2.680 meters, between Marienhorn and Mont Nery, by Pier Luigi Ferrero, solo in Summer 1985, with passages from I°+ to II° (partially route by via with different workarounds South, below the edge of the Crest); (A; from F+ to PD; 3h'30/4h'00 pass; 2h'00/2h'15 from collar). Still not made in integral; probably challenging with exposed climbing on not good rock.
 
11) - Mont Solaron or Punta di Soleron (2.888m). From the first Frudière Loch through large Saddle about 2.895 meters and Southeast Crest.
 
12) - Pointe Champ-Long or Champlon (2.671m). From Mont Solaron through crossing and East-southeast Ridge.
 
13) - Fourchette or La Forchetta also Nanta Pass (2.202m). From Frudière Alpage or from Chatelet Pond without paths.
 
14) - Cleve de Moula (2.241m). From Restol or Restoly (1.682m) or from Champ Charlec (1.766m) Alpages through two paths n° 9C passing on Balavra Alp (1.881m) or more to the East with dirt road to Rovetta (1.777m), Chavanne (1.871m), Oreille (1.991m) and next unnamberede path to previous route, passing under Merian Alpage (2.019m). Possibility of descent always with path to Moula Alp (1.885m) into nearby Chasten Walloon.
 
15) - Becca di Meriau or Bec de Merian (2.177m). From Restol pasture through the Forest on Northern Slopes, pathless, also with crossing from Cleve de Moula by Southeast brief Crest. 
 

Approaching to Lakes & Frudièrecoll

The Lakes Frudière, unlike those of the Conca (Basin) Estoul that are quite numerous among the Walloons Bringuez, Palasinaz, Freide and Estoul, are only two in number and located at the end of the Walloon namesake, just below the pass or Frudièrecoll. The first lake you come to is the Lower but that, with a play on words, it is the largest and most extensive; place the altitude of 2.035 meters above possesses a surface area of ​​880.770 square meters, compared to a length of around 422 meters and a width of around 260 meters. Just above, after a rocky and grassy pastures with two unnamed and now semi ruined (2.116m, 2.273m; see under the photographs) is the second less large lake or Higher (2.230m), approximately one-tenth less in size and located on the Southwest slopes of the Mount Taf (2.623m). A third mini pond is located on the Western side of the latter. From these the last stretch of the path n° 9 leads to Pass of Frudiera (2.265m) to the Valley of Gressoney, or that the Lys from the name that gives you the Torrent.
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Champ-Charlec Pastures
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Lake s Superior Alpage
Monte Bieteron
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Frudière Ancient Alp
Mont Nery or Becca Frudiera
Important note: at present the path, concomitant with the farm dirt road that runs through the Vallons of Frudiera is closed due to a landslide still unsafe, almost immediately after the Graines Village up to the Alp Frudière. To access the lakes you have to take the next Walloon Estoul to Barmasse Pasture (2.083m), just below the Ranzola Hill, and then turn South on the trail n° 9A overcoming the large saddle 2.163 meters and descend towards Alp de la Garda (2.072m) and then navigate to the Lower Lake Frudiera.
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Long Frudière Valley
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 To The Upper Walloon
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Lake Circumvention
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Little & Upper Lake
Frudière also Frudiera Walloon /4 Just below the Pass
I Laghi di Frudière, a differenza di quelli della Conca di Estoul che sono alquanto numerosi tra i Valloni Bringuez, di Palasinaz, Freide ed Estoul, sono esclusivamente in numero di due e situati all'estremità del Vallone omonimo, appena sotto il passo o Frudièrecoll. Il primo lago che si incontra é quello Inferiore ma che, con un gioco di parole, risulta il più grande ed esteso; posto all'altitudine di 2.035 metri possiede una superficie di 880.770 metri quadri, a fronte di una lunghezza di circa 422 metri ed una larghezza di circa 260 metri. Appena sopra, dopo un promontorio roccioso ed erboso con due alpeggi innominati ed ormai semi diroccati (2.116 m, 2.273 m; vedi foto) si trova il secondo lago o Superiore (2.230 m), di circa un decimo inferiore per dimensioni e posto alle pendici Sudovest del monte Taf (2.623 m). Un terzo mini laghetto si trova sulla sponda Occidentale di questo ultimo. Da questi l'ultimo tratto del sentiero n° 9 conduce al Passo di Frudiera 2.265 m) verso la Valle di Gressoney oppure detta del Lys dal nome che le dà il Torrente.
North (Ayas ...) Graines Castle in Frudière Vallon 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 Frudiera Alpage 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 Lake & Vallon 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 A mini pond 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 On the Pass 2002
Nota importante: allo stato attuale il sentiero, concomitante con la strada poderale, che percorre il Vallone di Frudiera é chiuso, causa una frana ancora pericolante, da quasi subito dopo il Villaggio fino all'Alpe di Frudière. Per accedere ai laghi si deve percorrere il successivo Vallone di Estoul fino all'Alpe Barmasse (2.083 m), sottostante il Colle della Ranzola, per poi deviare a Sud con il sentiero n° 9A superando la larga sella 2.163 metri e scendere in direzione dell'Alpe de la Garda (2.072 m) per poi traversare verso il Lago Inferiore.
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon / 4 Lower Lake 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 Lake & Nery 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 Mont Solaron 2002
... or Frudiera Vallon /4 Admiring Marienhorn 2002
Frudière also Frudiera Vallon /4 Sunny Pass 2002

Campings

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

Mountain Conditions

  • You can get meteo information at the official site of the Regione Valle d'Aosta:
  • Valle d'Aosta Meteo
  • Meteo: You can find more weather information on the website 3B Meteo:
  • Meteo Brusson

Books and Maps

BOOKS:

  • "Guida delle Alpi Occidentali" di Giovanni Bobba e Luigi Vaccarone C.A.I. Sezione di Torino Volume II (parte II), 25 Maggio 1896.
  • "Guida dei Monti d'Italia" Alpi Pennine (Vol. 2) di Gino Buscaini - Club Alpino Italiano/Turing Club Italiano, Luglio 1970 (In Italian).
  • "Val d'Ayas itinerari escursionistici" di Piergiorgio Bosio Ed. Musumeci, Giugno 1983.
  • "A piedi in Valle d'Aosta" (Vol. 2), di Stefano Ardito, Ed. Guide iter, Giugno 2004.
  • "Gressoney itinerari escursionistici" di Piergiorgio Bosio Ed. Musumeci, Giugno 1984.
  • "Alpinismo e Escursionismo in Val d'Ayas" di Giorgio Merlo, Ed. CDA Torino Maggio 1984.

MAPS:

  • Meridiani Montagne "Monte Rosa" Carta 1.50.000 con carta di dettaglio 1.20.000.
  • L'Escursionista "Val d'Ayas Val di Gressoney Monte Rosa" Carta dei sentieri (n° 8) 1:25.000.
  • Comunità Montana Evançon "Carta dei sentieri" (n° 2), 1:30.000.
  • Kompass "Breuil/Cervinia-Zermatt" Carta turistica 1:50.000.
  • I.G.C. Istituto Geografico Centrale Torino "Cervino e Monte Rosa" 1:50.000.

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.