Wed, 25 February 2009
Vertical Climbed: 917 meters (3,009 feet)
Vertical Descended: 913 meters
Rating: 3.2
Avalanche Risk: 2
Snowline: 740
Description
Park either at La Noyelle or 2 hairpins further on, at the start of a path not indicated on the IGN map, but which joins the road at the left hairpin at 800 meters and follows the "Chemin Neuf". It is an easy route through the forest to the Col de Branveau. The pas de l'Echine is the obvious passage on the right (west). The summit is visible from the Pas (towards the southwest).
Nice tour that can be done before work from Geneva.
Access: From Gex cross the town center -> Méribel to the west -> la Noyelle (the road from la Noyelle -> Rogeland is not always cleared of snow).
Trip Report
I parked towards Rogeland around 740 meters. A bad plan, the forest road was too snowy to reach La Noyelle by car. The "chemin neuf" on the right bank is a better plan compared to the chemin du Sapin du Sous-Prefet which leads up through the base of the valley. Fresh snow without a track from 900 meters. Good snow cover in the Pas, staying on the right bank (north-east orientation) and in the Combe de Branveau, I skied down to the chalet de Branveau with good snow.
The Pas de l'Echine is around 35-40 degrees (40 degrees over 100m according to my IGN map). You may need couteau or crampons. The steep left bank of the valley can avalanche. Watch out for "crevasses" - see picture
Good fresh snow in the Pas, lacking a bit of cover at 750 meters. Chemin Neuf is completely skiable.
