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Combe des Rachasses

Chamonix

Grands Montets

Les Grands Montets

A wide open glacier run in a small dip below the bounding cliffs

Freeride Skiing Moderate

Distance
882 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
420 m
Low Point
2.5 km
High Point
3 km
Gradient
31˚
Combe des Rachasses Map

This is a delightful run which is relatively non-serious as it is not too steep and usually holds very good snow. It is also worth bearing in mind for flat light days as the cliffs to its R give you good contrast to improve the vis. From the top of the Grands Montets lift follow the Pylones piste until it passes through the rocky ridge with fences onto the front face. Now head straight down and R. You are on a glacier so make sure you are equipped, prepared and have practised crevasse rescue, however unlikely you think falling in a crevasse is- it is possible! A minimum would be each person to have harness, axe, crampons, an ice screw, 3 prussiks, several screwgates, a pulley/DMM Revolver karabiner, a couple of slings and 2 30m ropes in the group. A more modern simple solution substituting for many of the above might be 2 Petzl RAD systems in the group. If you have any doubts about this ski with an IFMGA Mountain Guide.

Description

The line has a few variations but broadly it stays close to the rocks on the R side of the glacier, watching out for the odd crevasse. This leads you down nicely into the Italian bowl to finish, eventually putting you onto the bottom of the Pointe de Vue piste.

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between January and May

Features

  • Glacier

Equipment required

  • Rope
  • Crampons

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