This year, we’re taking on
summits that we neglect too often but that still offer us some superb views.
From the house,
the Pinéa looks like a small, nude point !
Once again, there are several starting points : just above
Sarcenas, by the Col de Porte, or, our more tranquil choice, by the Orgeval
observatory (1634m)… which will offer
up a cross. Much shorter, but we’re not trying to break any records. From the
observatory, very close to the starting point of the Charmant Som, we’re only
137m less in altitude that the top !!!
And, yes, it’s a hike along the Montfromage crest with climbs and dips and
many nice views over the surrounding areas. When it’s very hot, it’s ideal due
to its forest sections, though not too many so we don’t feel suffocated. We
even passed next to the top of the ski-lift that I used to take in my ski
competition days. It’s even on this slope that I achieved the best score in the
‘slalom’ (163 at the end of the season)…
the year when I had excessively curved ski-tips. Ah, what a great time that
period was !
Vibrantly
coloured cornflowers ...
and the thistles
enchant us !
Diving towards
joy !
At the foot of the last,
steep and unforested climb, we found a large rock perfect for our wanderings. It
gives the impression that we’re on the edge of a precipice, but don’t fret :
that’s not the case !
Not easy to be horizontal !
The supreme reward is seeing some chamois. From the top, go towards the
left, towards the Vercors and Sassenage, and keep an eye open at the bottom and
around the rockery as they are often in this area, far from walkers (one in the grass on the far left, and one in
the rockery on the far-right, left photo). We see very well without having
to take any unnecessary risks by going too close to the edge. Watch out all the same !
All the way at the top (right),
there’s not much space, rocks, no cross but a magnificent 360˚ view over the
whole of the Chartreuse, the Vercors and over to the Aiguille du Midi. Seen
from this angle (left), Chamechaude
seems totally different than what we see from home where it shows off its
point.
19/07/2012 La
Pinéa
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