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Roc du Blanchon

Albertville

Vanoise Massif

A fine summit for a short day tour.

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
8.6 km
Ascent
1.2 km
Descent
1.2 km
Duration
5-6 hrs
Low Point
1.6 km
High Point
2.7 km
Gradient
44˚
Roc du Blanchon Map

The Roc du Blanchon is a 2747m summit which gives a great day tour in its own right from Pralognan, or an easy day on the way in to or out of the Roc de la Pêche refuge as part of a multi-day tour in the Vanoise. The route described starts from the spring-time parking which is normally just before the Pont de Gerlon. In the winter months the start will be made from Pralognan itself, following the cross-country tracks to reach the same point, adding 2 kms and 150m of extra uphill.

Description

From the Pont de Gerlon follow the main road to just beyond the obvious gorge of the Torrent des Nants (opposite the hamlet of Les Prioux) - head generally south-east from here up Les Béveriers (some bush-whacking may be necessary depending on snow cover) trending slightly rightwards until at about 2200m you enter an open bowl - follow this to the summit. The views onto the west face of the Dome des Nants and over to the skyline above the Roc de la Pêche are great and worth the effort on their own.

It is also possible to reach the summit by following the Nants valley - for this break left at either 2000m or 2100m (look for the claw of rock) as you skin up Les Béveriers. Follow the general line of ascent on the way down. Although north-west facing it is usually possible to play with the aspects to find cold snow. If you are going to (or coming from) the Roc de la Pêche) then you can hang a left at about 2200m and take a diagonal line toward the Plan des Bôs and Montaimont to then cross the river a few hundred metres upstream, with a very short climb out to the refuge.

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

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between December and May

Features

  • Single Descent

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area