This vallon is actually a gorge underlying the Vallon of Comboé. From the slopes of Monte Emilius fact falls to the south along a Vallon of Arbolle that, with semi circular course, reaches in the direction opposite the Vallon of the underlying Comboé
(2.114m). Below this opening, as a natural continuation, descends the Vallon Dard that, like a big funnel, tapering into a gorge ever closer and narrow to finally expand on the valley floor, between the Commons of Pollein (East) and Charvensod, before flowing with Torrent de Comboé in Dora Baltea. It is bordered to the East by the great Crest North-northeast of Becca di Nona, degrading to the Pastures of Plan Croix
(1.745m), Martsaouchy Damon
(1.420/30m about), du Meitin and Dèsott and Tchino or Chenoz
(1.017m), above Pollein Municipality. The watershed opposite or Western, attached with the Pila Basin now in Gressan Commune, after Colle Plan Fenêtre, gateway to the Vallon of Comboé, the ridge form three small Summit called Punta di Ponteilles
(2.262/3m), Punta Valletta
(2.164 m) and Punta del Dard
(2.033m), this last above the Black Forest of Combatissière and the Pasture of Pouce or Pousses
(1.601m). The bottom of the vallon, however, after the Comboé Dessous
(2.042m), rushes through the Torrent de Comboé with a series of waterfalls that end with a largest and most spectacular on the Alp Ponteilles
(1.750m), up to where it is came the great landslide of Flood of 2000 breaking away from the base of the Northern Face of
"Becca". Beyond the vallon-gorge becomes a real throat reaching before the water intake of La Mare
(1.187m), then the Rongachet Bridge (
1.100 meters about; what he did and then plug exploding caused seven deaths), near Alpe di Reverier Dessous (
1.042m; St. Joseph Chapel). Lower down, becoming more and more a bottleneck, forms a more short waterfall at the Gym Rock between the Villages Chenaux (Pollein) Roulaz (Charvensod). The same, equipped from the first post-war period but probably also used in earlier times, has grown a little all the Mountaineers Aosta. Currently has been partially demolished in order to obtain the material to build new levees to Torrent de Comboé between Chenaux Pian Felina. Does not have great chances to go up as the routes from this side towards Becca di Nona are or challenging (Crestone North-northeast) or dangerous (North Wall), but it may be a variant of departure to go to the same or simply to Comboé Alp. For the three Summit minors, placed on the watershed with the Conca di Pila, you can reach, going after Comboé Alpage towards the Plan Fenêtre Hill, in crossing from South to North; is cheaper to make this route from this location
starting precisely from Pila-Resort.
Questo vallone in realtà é una gorgia sottostante il Vallone di Comboé. Dalle pendici del Monte Emilius scende infatti verso Sud il lungo Vallone d'Arbolle che, con percorso semi circolare, raggiunge in direzione opposta il Vallone del sottostante Comboé. Al di sotto di questo s'apre, come naturale continuazione, il Vallone del Dard che, a guisa di grande imbuto, si restringe progressivamente in una gola sempre più ristretta per infine allargarsi sul fondovalle, tra i Comuni di Pollein (Est) e Charvensod, prima di sfociare con il Torrent de Comboé nella Dora Baltea. Viene delimitato ad Oriente dalla grande Cresta Nord-nordest della Becca di Nona, che digrada verso gli Alpeggi di Plan Croix, Martsaouchy Damon, du Meitin e Dèsott e Tchino o Chénoz sopra Pollein. Sullo spartiacque opposto od Occidentale, divisorio con la Conca di Pila ormai nel Comune di Gressan, dopo il Colle Plan Fenêtre, porta d'ingresso al Vallone di Comboé, la cresta forma tre piccole Sommità dette Punta di Ponteilles (2.262/3 m), Punta Valletta (2.164 m) e Punta del Dard (2.033 m), quest'ultima al di sopra della Foresta Nera di Combatissière e dell'Alpeggio di Pouce oppure Pousses (1.601 m). Il fondo del vallone invece, dopo il Comboé Dessous (2.042 m), precipita tramite il Torrent de Comboè con una serie di cascate che si concludono con una più grande e spettacolare sopra l'Alpe di Ponteilles (1.750 m), fino a dove é giunta la grande frana dell'Alluvione del 2000 staccandosi dalla base della Parete Nord della "Becca". Oltre, diventa una vera e propria gola raggiungendo dapprima la presa dell'acqua di La Mare (1.187m), poi il Ponte di Rongachet (1.100 metri circa; quello che fece da tappo e poi eslodendo provocò sette morti), nelle vicinanze dell'Alpe di Reverier Dessous (1.042 m; Cappella di San Giuseppe). Più in basso, diventando sempre più una strettoia, forma una corta cascata presso la Palestra di Roccia tra le Frazioni di Chenaux (Pollein) e Roulaz (Charvensod). Attrezzata già dal primo dopoguerra, ma probabilmente utilizzata anche in tempi più remoti, ha visto crescere un pò tutti gli Alpinisti Aostani. Attualmente é stata parzialmente demolita, onde ricavarne il materiale per costruire nuovi argini al Torrent de Comboé tra Chenaux e Pian Felina. Non presenta grandi possibilità di salite poichè le vie da questo versante alla "Becca" sono o impegnative (Crestone Nord-nordest) oppur pericolose (Parete Nord), ma può costituire una variante di partenza per recarsi alla stessa o più semplicemente al Comboé. Per le tre Sommità minori, poste sullo spartiacque con la Conca di Pila, si possono raggiungere, salendo dopo il Comboé al Colle Plan Fenêtre, in traversata da Sud a Nord; é più conveniente effettuarla da questa località partendo appunto da Pila.
The mountains surrounding have an average of about 2.000/3.100 meters, except for Monte Emilius (3.559m), King and unquestioned, unchallenged Symbol of the whole area and for the Grande Roise nearby Subgroup (3.357m). Other Summit that exceed this average, always from East to West and analyzing vallon to vallon, so are. Watershed Les Laures/Saint Marcel with the Roises Range: the Petite Roise (3.279m) with the two neighboring Tips Gianni Junod also called Roise Central (3.300m). Watershed between Les Laures/Grauson-Lussert (Cogne): Punta di Leppe three Tops (West 3.305m, Central 3.300 meters about, East 3.292/3 meters about) and West Antetop (about 3.290/5 meters), Punta di Lussert (3.221m), Punta des Laures (3.367m), three Punta Rossa (Eastern 3.400m, Central 3.395 meters about, Western 3.401m). Western Watershed before between Les Laures/Arbolle then with Arpisson: East Punta Rossa (3.400m), Punta dei Tre Cappuccini (3.284m), Black Triangle (3.378 m). Always maintaining the same scan starting from the East to get to the West, other mountains or important, moreover because they are known as important nodes topographic (* * * Note: the point divides various vallons), are Mont Barbeston (2.482m), Mont Rouvìc (2.922m), Mont Giron (2.699 m), Cima Nera (2.698m). Mont Avìc (3.006m). Raye Chevrère (2.827m), Tête de Plan Fret (2.717m), Mont Chermontane (2.680m). Becca di Salé (3.137m). Mont des Laures (3.121 m). Testa (3.140m; Head) Blantsette, Becca's Seneva (3.086m), Mont Père Laurent (2.625m). Becca di Nona (3.142m), La Dent (2.736m). Punta di Ponteilles (2.262/3m), Punta Valletta (2.164m), Punta del Dard (2.033m).
Le montagne circostanti hanno una media di circa 2.000/3.100 metri, eccezione fatta per il Monte Emilius (3.559 m), Re indiscusso dell'intera area, nonché per il Sottogruppo della vicina Grande Roise (3.357 m). Altre Sommità che superano questa media, sempre da Est verso Ovest ed analizzando vallone per vallone, così risultano. Spartiacque Les Laures/Saint Marcel con la Catena delle Roises: la Petite Roise (3.279 m) con le due vicine Punte Gianni Junod od anche Roise Centrale (3.300 m). Spartiacque tra Les Laures/Grauson-Lussert (Cogne): Punta di Leppe tre Cime (Ovest 3.305/6 m, Centrale 3300 metri circa, Est 3.292/3 metri circa) con un Antecima Ovest (3.290/5 metri circa), Punta di Lussert (3.221 m), Punta des Laures (3.367 m), tre Punta Rossa dell'Emilius (Est 3.400 m, Centrale 3.395 metri circa, Ovest 3.401 m). Spartiacque Occidentale dapprima tra les Laures/Arbolle e poi con Arpisson: Punta Rossa Est (3.400 m), Punta dei Tre Cappuccini (3.284 m) e Triangolo Nero (3.378 m). Sempre con la stessa scansione dei valloni ovvero partendo da Est ad Ovest, altre montagne importanti o conosciute, oppure perché risultano come notevoli nodi topografici (* * * Nota: il punto divide i vari valloni), sono il Monte Barbeston (2.482 m), Mont Rouvìc (2.922 m), Mont Giron (2.699 m), Cima Nera (2.698 m). Mont Avìc (3.006 m). Raye Chevrère (2.827 m), Tête de Plan Fret (2.717 m), Mont Chermontane (2.680 m). Becca di Salè (3.137 m). Mont des Laures (3.121 m). Testa Blantsette (3.140 m), Becca di Seneva (3.086 m), Mont Père Laurent (2.625 m). Becca di Nona (3.142 m), La Dent (2.736 m). Punta Ponteilles (2.262/3 m), Punta Valletta (2.164 m), Punta del Dard (2.033 m).
Ascending from Pontey/Verthuy or by Arlier/Luxe Hamlets on Valmeriana & Ponton more Eastern Vallons, by emilius & Corvus
Getting There
BY CAR:
- From TORINO, MILANO, etc: Motorway A5. Exit at IVREA or Quincinetto (PIEDMONT)
- From IVREA Town: in West towards Pont Saint Martin, Donnas, Bard, Champdepraz, Pontey, Fénis, Saint Marcel, Grand Brissogne, Pollein, Charvensod, Municipalities. From Courmayeur Resort: in East to Morgex, La Salle, Saint Pierre, Sarre, Aosta, Saint Chistophe; Quart, Saint Marcel, Fénis, Châtillon, Pontey Municipalities.
- Southeastern Side: From Pontey (523m) to Valmeriana Vallon and Valmeriana Alp (1.791m; by Regional Road and farms private dirt road or paths). From Grand Brissogne (827m) to L'Arp, dirt road, Les Laures Vallon-Ernesto Ménabreaz Shelter at Lower Laures Lake (2.546m), path-muletrack. From Pollein (575m; secondary road) or from Charvensod (746m; main road and connection) to Martsaouchy Damon-Arpisson Vallon, through dirt road, and to Arpisson Lower and Upper (2.010m) Alpages with path. To Federigo Zullo Bivouac (2.907m), through moraines on Western Arpisson Glacier. From Charvensod to Dard-Comboé-Arbolle Vallons towards Ponteilles (1.697m) Alp/Waterfall, through dirt road, Comboé Alp/Saint Ours Shelter (2.114m), through dirt road, and Arbolle Refuge (2.516m), near Lakes (2.497m), by Chair Lift to Chamolé Station (2.309m), Lake (2.325m) and muletrack.
- From FRANCE: through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Entrèves-crossroads to Vény/Ferret Valleys - Courmayeur. By Little Saint Bernard Pass, closed since November until half May to La Thuile Valley - Pré Saint Didier - Courmayeur. 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).
All major and minor vallons
VALLEYS & VALLONS In order to deploy clockwise from Middle Valley to Pila Basin & Internal Areas
From Montjovet to Pontey Municipalities Banchettes Vallon: from Ussel (splendid castle restaured), Petit Monde
(626m), Rhodo Village
(1.080m) to Marcage Hill
(1.146m), with path.
Belle Combe Vallon: from Ussel, Bellecombe (1.018m), Low, Superior, Upper Mont Ros (1.609m), Toule Alps (2.020m). Goddet Hill or Valcrusa (2.110m) to: in East
1) - Mount Lyan (2.178m);
2) - in West-Southwest Mount Barbeston (2.482m), both with path on easy crests. Minerals Vallon.
Valmeriana or Molinaz Vallon:
1) - from Pontey-Chiesanuova (523/535m), Pien, Ussert Hamlets (991m) Morgeron Alp. Plan Coca (1.675m) to Valmeriana Pasture (1.791m), through farms dirt road;
2) - from Lassolaz or Torin (466m), Plan Coca, with path. From Valmeriana in South to alternative about 1.820 meters and from this in Southeast Valmeriana Hill (2.281m) to Mount Barbeston, through easy Southwest Crest, with paths
Ruvic-Orsière Vallon: from Margnier Village (607m) in South Ronchere Pasture to Verthuy-Perrod Hamlets (1.050m) to Southeast at beginning of Orsières Vallon, with path and from this, without path in forest, to in East
1) - Giron Collar (2.580m), Mount Ruvic (2.922m), through North Ridge (F+, passages of I°/I°+/II°-);
2) - in Southeast Mount Rouvic, through Northwest long Slope by moraine, blocks and easy rock bands or snowfields.
Ponton Vallon: from Septumian (543m), Arlier or Arly (582m), Praz (748m), Goilluz (893m) Villages to Lusey also Luxe little Village (1.160m), by dirt road; from this in South, long diagonal crossing above Ponton Torrent, to Forest Rangers Bivouac (2.168m) on a rocky tableland, over Ponton Alp (2.015m) in valley floor. From bivouac in East-southeast to
1) - Varotta Hill between Mounts Avic and Ruvic, with steep path. From Hill
2) - in North Mount Ruvic, by West-southwest Face, easy way but complex ,sometimes complicated, interaction between different rock bands and snowfields in final part, experience and rope required;
3) - to Mount Avic through long traverse on North Ridge and North-northeast Face, through small chimneys bluish rocks on castle in terminal part (PD-; passages of I°/II°- on thread; challenging but not difficult, experience, rope required).
VALLEYS & VALLONS In order to deploy clockwise from Grand Brissogne towards Pollein & Charvensod Municipalities
From Grand Brissogne towards Pollein/Charvensod Commons Les Laures Vallon: from Grand Brissogne
(906m), Gremonenche Pasture
(1.112m), L'Arp
(1.310m), la Vieille
(1.629m), Le Tramouail Pastures
(1.795m) to Dessous Laures Lake and Ménabreaz Shelter
(2.544m, 2.546m). From refuge:
1) - in East Salé Pass and Becca (3.008m, 3.187m), traces, blocks, small rocks in right traverse to pass and easy South Crest;
2) - in Southeast Long Lake (2.630m), in South fork 2.763 meters and in West Leppe Pass, Point (3.110m, 3.306m), with path, traces on moraine, snowfields, remains of old Leppe Glacier and easy Northeast Crest.
3) - In North Punta Ilario Antonio Garzotto, debris, easy rocks on South Slope.
4) - From fork in Southwest Upper Lake (2.787m), fork 2.933 meters, Laures Hill, with path, and Mount (3.035m, 3.121m), by easy West Crest and descent to Lussert Vallon and three Lochs, with paths.
5) - In West-northwest from fork 2.933m Arbolle Pass (3.154m), path, final steep earthy gully, and three Punta Rossa (3.400m, about 3.395m, 3.401m), through paths, traces and Northeast Crest, not difficult (F/I°/I°+).
6) - From Dessus Loch (2.787m) in West-northwest Iced Lake, Three Capuchins Pass (3.242m), with debris and snowfields (requires precaution if frozen), to Mount Emilius (3559m), by paths, debris and traces to East under South-southeast Crest or Standard Route.
7) - In West Peckoz Pass (3.042m), Becca of Seneva (3.081m), path and easy South-southwest Crest, under the thread to East.
Western Arpisson Vallon: from Pila main road, hairpin about 950/60 meters with alternative to Low Reverier (1.042m), Rongachet bridge up Comboé Torrent and followed Village (1.100m), Gorrettaz (1.089m) Hamlet, La Barma (1.255m) Pasture, Martsaouchy Meitin, Damon Pastures (1.362m, 1.410m), Plan Croix Alp (1.745m; ruins), Arpisson Low, Upper Alps (1.951m, 2.010m); from Alp in East
1) - Mount Père Laurent (2.625m), with rare traces on Western grassy and steep Slope.
2) - In South Emilius Sources into moraine, Western Arpisson Glacier, Carrel Hill and Federigo Zullo Bivouac (2.912m, 2.907m). From this
3) - in East Arpisson Glaciers, below Emilius North Wall, to Peckoz Pass, with traces, moraine under glaciers and delicate traverse in final part (snow or ice possibility, in these conditions rope required; but better than the alternative described below).
4) - Before the pass, Tête Blantsette (3.140m), through West rocky Slope and easy traverse on ridge in South to Blantsette Carving (3.126m): ALTERNATIVE Route for the traverse to Les Laures Vallon, in descent or with snow through a steep rocky gully with soil; rope required.
5) - Via Ferrata on Northwest Ridge of Mount Emilius, required adequate equipment, technical preparation, training and adaptation to the sense of emptiness;
6) - in Northwest, always from bivouac, Normal Route to Becca of Nona (3.142m), with small path and traces on easy Southeast Crest.
Dard-Comboé-Arbolle Vallons:
1) - various possibilities of departure to Arbolle Refuge (2.516m), nearby two Arbolle Lochs (2.496m).
2) - From Pila main road (the best Saint Salo-Les Gorres 1.835m, Les Pousses Pasture 1.601m or from Upper Reverier to La Mare 1.187m) to Ponteilles Alp (1.706m) and waterfall;
3) - from this to Low Comboé Alp (2.041m), Comboé Pasture (2.114m). In East up Comboé Torrent path to Plan Valé (2.379m; ruins), Gros Scez fork 2.526 meters to
4) - Becca of Nona through path on Southwest Slope;
5) - path to Federigo Zullo Bivouac. From Comboé in South Grand Plan Alp (2.158m; ruins) and
6) - connection to Plan Valé;
7) - gorge to Arbolle Refuge, with paths. From Shelter in North-norteast
8) - Three Capuchins Pass and Mount Emilius;
9) - in Northeast Arbolle Pass and three Rossa Points.
10) - In East Valaisan Pass (3.210m; absolutely not recommended for the various danger);
11) - in East-southeast Garin Hill to Franco Nebbia Bivouac and Arpisson-Gimillan Vallon, with paths.
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
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–Emilius Rosa dei Banchi Parco del Mont Avic" di Giulio Berutto e Lino Fornelli-Club Alpino Italiano/Touring Club Italiano, Marzo 2005 (in Italian).
- "A piedi in Valle d'Aosta" (Vol. 2), di Stefano Ardito, Ed. Guide iter, Giugno 2004.
- "I Rifugi della Valle d'Aosta" di Stefano Ardito, Ed. Guide iter, Febbraio 2003.
- "Rifugi e bivacchi in Valle d'Aosta", di Cosimo Zappelli aggiornata da Pietro Giglio, Musumeci Editore, Luglio 2002.
- "Guida della Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta" di Mario Aldrovandi; Ed. S.P.E. di Carlo Fanton, Torino 1964.
- "Parco Naturale Mont Avic" di Naldo Finco e Luca Zavatta, l'Escursionista Ed., Giugno 2006.