This trip was independently organised with help from the guidebook 'Tour of the Vanoise' by Kev Reynolds (publisher: Cicerone)
The team: Colin Stump and Darrell Stocks
Thursday 2 September
Travel from UK, then overnight in:
Hotel Voyageurs, 16 place Sommeiller, Modane (00 33 4 79 05 01 39).
Modane not really recommended! Far better to drive to Refuge de l'Orgere and leave your car there.
Friday 3 September
Walk 3 hours to Refuge de l’Orgere (00 33 4 79 05 11 65)
5.5 kms with 877m ascent.
Steep ascent through woods to north of Modane. Pleasantly sited refuge, friendly with good food.
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| Ascent to Refuge de l'Orgere 1935m |
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| Bouquetin, above l'Orgere |
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| Refuge de l'Orgere with Tete Noire above |
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| Valfrejus, from above l'Orgere |
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| Refuge de l'Orgere with Aig. Doran beyond |
Walk 4.5 hours to Refuge de la Plan Sec (00 33 4 79 20 31 31).
11 kms with 1883m ascent and 181m descent via Col du Barbier.
Wonderful views to the south before heading north into the National Park. Neat little refuge.
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| Point de Bellacote 3139m, above Plan d' Aval |
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| Looking back to Plan l' Amont |
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| Refuge du Fond d' Aussois 2324m |
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| Le Rateau d' Aussois 3131m from Ref. de la Dent Parrachee |
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| View south from Refuge de Plan Sec |
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| Refuge de Plan Sec 2358m |
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| View north from Refuge de Plan Sec |
Walk 5.5 hours to Refuge de l’Arpont (00 33 4 79 20 51 51).
18 kms with 486m ascent and 338m descent.
Contouring walk with steep zigzag section through crags (easy though) before turning into the Doron gorge with glaciers on the left. Basic chalet, not very welcoming.
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| On the GR5 to Refuge de l' Arpont |
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| Scree slopes viewed from la Loza 2376m |
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| Dome de l' Arpont 3599m from Lac de l' Arpont 2688m |
Walk 5 hours to Refuge du Col de la Vanoise (00 33 4 79 08 25 23).
Approx 17 kms via traverse of east flank of Pointe de la Rechasse.
High contouring path which eventually turns west to the highest mountains of the Vanoise region. Big views of Vallon de la Rocheure and Vallon de la Leisse, overlooked by Grande Motte and Grande Casse. Friendly refuge, almost deserted at the end of the season (normally very busy).
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| Leaving the Refuge de l' Arpont |
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| View to La Grande Casse 3855m and La Grand Motte 3653m |
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| On the GR5 |
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| Darrell, looking north from the GR5 |
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| Mont Pelve 3263m and the Glaciers de la Vanoise |
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| Darrell, beneath Pointe de la Rechasse 3212m |
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| Mont Pelve from Lacs des Lozieres 2479m |
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| La Grand Motte 3653m above Vallon de la Leisse |
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| Towards the Col de la Vanoise |
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| View back to Pointes de Pierre Brune 3196m from the Col de la Vanoise |
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| Pointe de la Grand Gliere 3392m from Lac Rond 2500m |
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| Couloir des Italiens on La Grande Casse |
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| View north from Col de la Vanoise |
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| View north from Col de la Vanoise |
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| La Grande Casse from Ref. du Col de la Vanoise |
Walk 6.5 hours to Refuge de Peclet-Polset (00 33 4 79 08 72 13).
Descend ~ 1100m from refuge to Pralognan, then 12 kms from Pralognan to Peclet-Polset with 1056m ascent.
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| Early morning crossing Lac des Vaches 2318m |
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| Petit Mont Blanc (centre) from Pralognan |
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| View down Chaviere Valley to Pralognan |
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| Pointe de Lechelle 3422m on approach to Ref. Peclet-Polset |
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| The Vanoise Team - Sept 2004 |
Walk 5.5 hours from Peclet-Polset to Modane, then overnight in Hotel Voyageurs, 16 place Sommeiller (00 33 4 79 05 01 39).
Excellent walk over the Col de Chaviere (2796m) with long strightforward descent to Modane. Good sighting of herds of bouquetin.
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| Col de Chaviere 2796m |
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| Mont Blanc (far distance, centre) from Col de Chaviere |
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| On the Col de Chaviere 2796m |
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| View south from the Col de Chaviere 2796m |
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| Classic Vanoise! View south to the Ecrins |
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| View back to Col de Chaviere |
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| Descent to Modane |
Travel back to UK.
