| Plateau
Haute Route day to day description, map and photos |
 |
Day 2 - The Grands Montets
to the Cabane du Trient
|
With
an early start on the Grands Montets cablecar, we ski down to the Argentière
Glacier, up over the Col du Chardonnet, the Fenêtre de Saleina and
on to the Trient Hut in Switzerland. The section up to the Col du Chardonnet
is steep and a long series of kick turns is usually required for the ascent.
The descent down the opposite side of the Col is one of the steepest on
the Haute Route and is normally done with a rope belay.
This is
a diverse day of skiing, some fine descents, especially from the Aiguille
des Grands Montets to the Argentière some 2200 fee below. We traverse
from one side of the range to the other and cross into Switzerland on
our route to the Trient hut.
Day 2 - Grands Montets to the Cabane du Trient
|
Ascent |
1054 meters |
3457 feet |
Descent |
1124 meters |
3687 feet |
|
 |
| Taking
a high line to the Argentière hut from the Grands Montets.
The day we took this photo we were heading to that hut. Normally we
prefer to go straight to the Trient hut, taking a more direct downward
line to the Argentière Glacier below. |
 |
| Skiing
up to the Argentière Glacier to the hut of the same name. The
hut can be seen on a rock outcrop to the left. |
|
 |
| In
this photo we are climbing up the Chardonnet Glacier toward the Col
du Chardonnet. Here, we are looking across the Argentière Glacier
which lies in the large valley below. The impressive north faces of
the Aiguille Verte (right) and Les Droites (left) form the background.
The Couturier Couloir, the steep ice gully directly above the left
hand skier, was the sight of one of the earliest extreme ski descents,
done first in 1973. |
 |
| Again,
we are skiing up toward the Glacier du Chardonnet. The rock towers
on the SW side of the Aiguille du Chardonnet are seen behind. |
|
 |
| Descending
the steep east side of the Col du Chardonnet. We use the rope here,
to protect the 90 meters of side-slip. The upper part of this short
gully is about 60° or more. |
 |
| Looking
across the Plateau du Trient from the Trient hut. Two skiers can be
seen on the lower slope coming toward the hut. The Aiguilles Dorées
are the peaks seen here. |
|
 |
| The Cabane
du Trient. This is one of the nicest huts on the Haute Route. The food is
great, the guardian friendly and the views superb. |
 |
| Inside the
Trient hut. |
Continue
on to Day 3.....
All images,
layout and text © 2002 Cosley & Houston Alpine Guides, All Rights Reserved
|