Ski-Areas > Northern Alps > Beaufortain > Cormet de Roselend > Col d'Arpire
Park at the chalets du Cormet. Cross the pont d'Arpire and continue to point 2081 m on the IGN map (ruines d'Arpire). Turn towards the south and climb the right bank of the valley below the north-west couloir of the Aiguille du Grand Fond (attention avalanches). Climb over a small shoulder and up a wide slope to the Col d'Arpire. It is possible to climb to the top of a small summit to the right and ski directly from here.
Info on any variations to the standard route that don't merit their own description
| Mountain Range | Beaufortain |
|---|---|
| Summit | Aiguille du Grand Fond |
| Altitude | 2585m |
| Orientation | North |
| Starting Altitude | 1935m |
| Vertical | 650 m |
| Maps | IGN n°3532 OT Massif du Beaufortin |
| GPS Waypoint | |
| GPS Route | Google-Earth:Roselend |
| Grade[1] | Danger: 1, Climb: F, Ski: 2.1 |
| Comments | |
| Snowboarders | Quite flat, maybe for an introduction to snowboard touring |
| Road Access | A430 -> Albertville -> D925 -> Beaufort -> D217 -> Cormet de Roselend |
| Refuges | |
| Author | davidof |
We wanted to tackle the Aiguille du Grand Fond north west couloir. However it was covered in avalanche debris leaving hard ice and exposed rocks (like many slopes today in the area). At the summit we were very wary about a 100 vertical meters that would have to be covered over a soft slab given the unstable nature of the surrounding slopes. We made a U-turn at 2650m in the couloir and head for the col sud d'Arpire and its small north summmit.
Sylvie lost a skin in the strong wind, blown into the vallon du Parozan. The descent was in powder snow completely saturated with water - it had rained high overnight. The conditions were not unpleasant. Luc was trying his new telemark skis. The avalanche risk was generalized even on fairly gentle slopes. (>25°).
Lots of skiers/snowshoers heading up as we returned to the car at 11am. Seems like a dangerous strategy.
Category: Trip Reports
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