Day 3 of the Haute Route

Verbier Haute Route day to day description, map and photos

Haute
Route
Day 1

Haute
Route
Day 2

Day 3 - Argentière hut to the Cabane du Trient

Starting early from the Argentière hut we descend a short way before climbing up to the Glacier du Chardonnet. 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.

We traverse from one side of the range to the other and cross into Switzerland on our route to the Trient hut. After the Col du Chardonnet we have a short descent, then another climb (shorter) up to the the Fenêtre de Saleina and on to the Trient Hut.

This is a big day of touring, in a spectaular setting.

Day 3 - Argentière hut to the Trient hut
Ascent	1030 meters	3378 feet
Descent	637 meters	2089 feet

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.

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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 4.....