Ski Areas > Northern Alps > Belledonne > Prabert > Grand Replomb by the brèche Ouest
From the Pont de la Betta car park descend to the Pont de la Betta and after crossing the river take a steep track to the left for 100m which then levels out for some distance (GR549). Cross the Crop stream by the "Pont de Pendules" (1410m) then climb to the south through a wooded valley that steepens and is blocked by brushwood early in the season. At around 1750 meters traverse to the south-west to join the north bowl of the Orionde. For preference climb the north-east ridge (less risk of avalanche) towards the Jarlons refuge (approx by the summer path) then the west side of the Orionde.
Traverse the south-west face of the Orionde just under the summit then the steep and exposed slopes under the Rafour (risk of avalanche). The impressionant couloir that you see from the valley is directly in front. At the Brèche (2420 meters) you can reach the summit by a short but steep climb.
Return via the north-west bowl of the Orionded (attention avalanches from the Bartlett).
1. You can reach the Orionde from the col des Mouilles which adds 300 meters. This is a good alternative early in the season when the Prabert road is closed (between December and mid-March) and before the brushwood is covered with snow. However the Orionde north-west bowl is always a good bet for powder snow.
2. You can climb to the Rafour from the lac du Crop then descend a short but steep couloir to join the bottom of the Breche.
3. From the Breche you can ski the north-east face of the Grand Replomb. Ski to the left (north- west) of the face to find a gorge wich leads to the slopes above the lac du Crop.
| Mountain Range | Belledonne |
|---|---|
| Summit | Grand Replomb |
| Altitude | 2458 meters |
| Orientation | West / North-west |
| Starting Altitude | 1295m |
| Vertical | 1200 meters |
| Maps | IGN n°3335 ET Bourg d'Oisans |
| GPS Waypoint | E:5.9816, N:45.2016 |
| GPS Route | Google-Earth:Prabert |
| Grade[1] | Danger: 2, Climb: AD, Ski: 3.3 |
| Comments | The starting altitude varies with the snow cover on the road, possibly 1025m in winter |
| Snowboarders | Yes |
| Road Access | Grenoble > Brignoud > Prabert > D528 to the limit of snow cover |
| Refuges | Habert des Jarlons? |
| Author | davidof |
Trip by the Bivouak team. Thin crust above the Pont de Pendules made us wonder about the wisdom of this route but finally everything was perfect. We made the track in the Orionde valley to the summit of the Replomb. Everyone did their turn. We even made it to the Breche without removing skis - something that is rare. 41 conversion turns from the top to bottom. The snow was a bit heavy in the couloir but then perfect all the way down to the bottom of the Orionde valley where the mornings crust had turned to crud.
Category: Trip Reports
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