Ski Touring: Col de Valloire via the Gleyzin valley

Thu, 20 March 2014

Technical

Slope Aspect: South-West

Trip Reports

Vertical Climbed: 1,700 meters (5,578 feet)

Avalanche Risk: 2

Snowline: 1,090

Description

We'd wanted to ski the Col de l'Arguille in the next valley but access is not easy without doing a long tour. So as a consolation for Mike we climbed to the Comberousse then Valloire so he could at least see the valley. The climb was chilly with a strong downhill wind which was moving some snow. The large avalanches of the Pertuis and Gleyzin, which buried someone earlier in the week, were hard to cross in both directions.

The ski down was slushy corn on the east slopes below the Col de Valloire. Hardpack under the Comberousse on the NW slope, this turned to old powder at 2400 m with frozen tracks and bits of crust. Above the refuge the snow turned back to hardpack/transformed down to the traverse of the Gleyzin blow the refuge. The border cross was fun to ski.

Route Taken: As topo but added 150 meters to the col de la Valloire

Weather: Strong wind in valley, hazy sun.

Access: Clear

Country: France Area: Belledonne Trailhead: Gleyzin

Participants:Mike