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Col du Tour Noir

Arve Valley

One of the lowest angle ski tours in the Argentiere basin, to a fabulous viewpoint.

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
7.1 km
Ascent
826 m
Descent
826 m
Duration
3-4 hrs
Low Point
2.7 km
High Point
3.5 km
Gradient
26˚
Col du Tour Noir Map

Follow the Les Rognons descent onto the Argentiere Glacier, then skin as you would initially for the Col d'Argentiere line. Head up very gently until the first glacial basin on the left after the obvious Argentiere Hut, visible on the moraine above.

Description

The Col d'Argentiere line now carries on up the flat glacier, but you head up and left for the tour described here.

The first part is possibly the steepest but barely reaches 30 degrees. It then mellows off before a slightly steeper section again as you go up and left under the Aiguille d'Argentiere, with its beautiful red granite pinnacles and the Y Couloir above you. Further easy ground above leads slowly to a final short steepening to the col itself.

Descend the same way, then back onto Les Rognons, joining all the other tracks from the Grands Montets and down to the pistes.

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between December and May

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area