Sat, 22 February 2014
Vertical Climbed: 1,400 meters (4,593 feet)
Rating: 4.1
From the Col de Marcieu climb the ski slopes to the top of the drag lift (1290m - watch out for skiers etc), climb behind the top pylon then follow a trail, steep at first, through the Bois du Grand Essart in a SW direction to the clearing at pt 1451 meters. Turn NW on a steep trail to a hairpin at 1530 m (the bottom of the Couloir Virgule is about 40 meters higher up on the continuation of the path). Climb out of the woods to into the Cirque of the Aulp du Seuil then traverse to the summit cross (slabs possible at the exit into the Vallon de Marcieu).
Remove skins and descend towards the Calet de l'Aulp du Seuil (1680m). Refix skins and climb to the Lance Nord via a NE facing couloir, this is usually a bit safer than the big open E/SE facing slope under the Lance Sud. Descend directly from the Lance Sud (risk of windslab) into the Vallon de Marcieu to the Chalet then fix skins to climb to the Aulp du Seuil. Descend via the Couloir en Virgule.
Comments on route: Both the Virgule and Lance Sud slopes are 4.1 rating
Access: Grenoble > La Terrasse > Saint Bernard du Touvet > Col de Marcieu ski station
Equipment: Ski crampons
Country: France Area: Chartreuse Trailhead: Col de Marcieu
Description: From the summit cross descend to the North for around 200m to a col. The entrance is quite steep. After 20 meters a steep section without snow is best tackled with a 20m/8mm rope for security (possible to downclimb but frequently icy so take crampons). Afterwards you are in an enclosed couloir. At the exit of the couloir continue straight down through woods which are fairly easy to ski to reach the climbing path.
Rating: 4.2/E2
Orientation: North-East