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The 2nd stage of the Haute Route - 3-day version! is not without its challenges. You need very good stamina for the tour, which is over 20 kilometres long.
The stage starts at the Cabane de Valsorey and ends at the Cabane des Vignettes. If the stage is too long, you can switch to the Cabane de Chanrion halfway through.
Right at the beginning of the stage there is a key section of the classic Haute Route, but afterwards you are rewarded with a great descent!
You can see and judge the key section from the Valsorey hut. The goal is a saddle as a transition to the Plateau du Couloir. To reach the saddle, you have to cross an increasingly steep slope. The steepness can only be roughly estimated from the hut.
After the descent of around 1500 metres, there is another gruelling ascent over the Glacier d’Otemma. At around 900 metres over about 10 km, the gradient is pleasant, but it’s still a long way to the hut.
Duration:
- Cabane de Valsorey – Charmotane (turn-off to Cabane de Chanrion): 6.00h
- Charmotane – Cabane des Vignettes: 4.30h
Itinerary
Best period to go there
Prestations
Author\s note
From the Col du Sonadon, you can make a detour to the summit of the Grande Tête de By (3587m). The ascent takes about half an hour.
Directions
1st ascent:
From the Valsorey hut, head north-east towards the Meitin glacier and continue towards the Grand Combin. The transition to the Plateau du Couloir is at around 3600 metres. Depending on the snow conditions, the flank must be climbed relatively early on with crampons and ice axe, as it is up to 45º steep. Once at the top, cross to the right to the saddle on the Plateau du Couloir. There is often a cornice here, which can either be bypassed or must be climbed over with a lot of work. You should also keep an eye on the steep slopes above the flank.
When you reach the Plateau du Couloir, you can see the Biagio-Musso bivouac further up on the right and the southern flank of the Combin de Valsorey on the left. From the plateau, continue eastwards and there is a short descent onto the Glacier du Sonadon. Keep to the left under the southern flank of the Combin de Valsorey in order to lose a few metres in altitude. From the Glacier du Sonadon, you have to make another short ascent eastwards to the Col du Sonadon. The long descent starts from here.
Descent:
Descend about 150-180 metres straight to the south-east, then keep to the right (southwards) to avoid falling over a huge glacier break. Pass between the large glacier break on the left and the Grande Tête de By break on the right. A look at the maps is very helpful here. Continue across the Durand Glacier up to an altitude of around 2800 metres. Here you must keep as far to the right as possible and cross to the ridge of Mont Avril at P.2736m. You may have to skin up. Once on the ridge, descend in an easterly direction. In the middle of the descent, you have to cross a small valley to the right and can then ski down to the valley floor. Now you still have about 11 kilometres of ascent ahead of you. If you are no longer fit enough, you still have the option of climbing up to the Cabane de Chanrion (approx. 200 metres).
2nd ascent:
Before the small gorge, which branches off to the right, the skins are mounted again. The path leads through the small gorge to the start of the Otemma glacier. The trail climbs steadily for a long time to the Col de Charmotane. Shortly before the col, turn left towards Pigne d’Arolla. Cross the eastern flank of the Pigne d’Arolla and reach the Col des Vignettes. After a short stretch you reach the Cabane des Vignettes.
Getting there
Take the A9 motorway to Martigny. From there, take the 21 towards Colle di Gran San Bernardo. This will take you directly to Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
Possibly in Cordonne. Depending on snow conditions.
The train journey from Lausanne, Bern and Brig to Martigny is very easy and relaxed.
In Martigny, take the train to Orsières. You have to change trains in Sembrancher. The train runs several times a day.
From Orsières, a bus runs several times a day to Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
Then stage 1.