Grand Som Crete Des Aures

Hiking -> Routes -> Chartreuse -> Grand Som by the crete des Aures

Description

le Grand Som

Same route as the Grand Som col du Fret to the clearing at 1350 meters. From here cut to left to the Granges de Bovinant (traces) to join the track that climbs from the Arragons. There are a few paths in the forest which are not clear on the IGN map but you basically keep south before turning westwards for 50 meters to join the track (kairn). Continue south to a clearing at around 1450 meters. Here the track makes a dog leg before traversing east through the forest to arrive at the Crete des Aures (kairn - N 45.3774°, E 05.8276°, 1535m). Turn south-west to follow a small ridge path, there are occasional boundary stones marked. The path arrives at the col des Aures (1631m). Continue in the same direction to the Racapé and a cabled climb up through the cliffs. This is not particuarly exposed and you don't really need the cables. At point 1821 m you turn north to zig-zag a grassy couloir which brings you out onto the summit plateau with the cross hopefully visibile directly to the east.

Pas de Racapé

Trip Reports

6th September 2007

I'd climbed by the col du Fret but didn't fancy the long traverse across the ridgeline and descent to the Bovinant on the way back so decided to take the Racapé. The cabled section isn't particuarly difficult, you don't really need the cables. At the col des Aures the start of the path along the crete is not very obvious for the first few meters and at the first hill you need to turn left, basically keeping the steep wooded slope to your left at all times. The path is very pleasant, especially in the cool September air, but it was muddy in the forest with a lot of standing water in places. The descent takes about 1h30 of swift walking.

Rabies!!!

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