Ski Touring: Charmant Som, Canaple Loop - 1,867 m. (6,126 ft)

Thu, 15 January 2015

Technical

Minimum altitude: 1,110 meters

Slope Aspect: East

Trip Reports

Vertical Climbed: 960 meters (3,150 feet)

Vertical Descended: 960 meters

Rating: 2.1

Description

From the hairpin by the Pont des Cottaves (bridge 1110 meters about 2km on the n. side of the Col De Port) follow pylons to the bottom of the Chamont Som chair lift. From there follow the ski piste which joints the road at 1500m. The piste is 25°at its steepest. From there follow the road (cross country skiing trail) to pass by the Orgeval oratory (small stone cross and shrine) and then the Charmant Som farm. From there follow the south facing ridge to the summit.

Ski down to the farm and instead of taking the road head south-east into a bowl to the edge of the forest. You are 150m to the NE of Orgeval at 1540 m d'altitude. Reskin to the Orgeval then (section of 30-35°). Then follow the ridge line to the Canaple (1710 m, just above the pt. 1703m.). Remove skins and ski down to the start of the ski piste by the top of the Charmant Som chair. From there follow the piste back to the start.

Comments on route: This is a good but fairly long introductory ski tour with the complications of reskinning and a few conversions.

Access: From Lyon: Voiron > St Laurent du Pont > St Pierre de Chartreuse (la Diat) > Route du Col de Porte -> Pont des Cottaves (1110 m)

Equipment: Ski crampons for the second climb to the Orgeval.

Country: France Area: Chartreuse Trailhead: Col De Porte

Other routes

Charmant Som, by the road

Description: Instead of climbing the ski slope follow a trail to the south from the chair lift (link ski piste from the col de porte) to reach the road close to the col de Porte. This is less steep but much longer. Alternatively start at the Col de Porte to save 250 meters climbing.
Rating: 2.1/E1
Orientation: South-East
Vertical: 970

 

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