For a long time, we’ve wanted to climb the Grand Som, starting from the
house, but the idea of a steep first hour’s climb had always been a break on
the idea. This year, our theme was “forgotten mountains”, and this one was therefore
unavoidable… and we made it.
It’s
the Chartreuse 4th highest peak, culminating at 2026m, behind Les
Lances de Malissard (2045m), La Dent
de Crolles (2062m), and the king
Chamechaude (2082m).
Not knowing much about it, we chose to climb by the Pas de la Suiffière,
with the idea of climbing down on the other side to make a large ring… which
was easy.
We started at 8h40, from Patassière, steep, which leaves La Coche behind
on the right. At the beginning, the path is quite visible up until the junction
on the crest near our house, then it gets more complicated as other than a
small piece of forest path, we had to climb up in a straight line where the cleft
where the water trickles. We regularly crossed the original, lacing path, but
it was now almost untreadable (right)
due to the timber that had been left there in the worst of places, blocking
various parts of this path. As a consequence, the vegetation had quickly taken
its area back seeing as no-one was using it anymore.
There are a good number of signs… reassuring signs :). We took 18 minutes
to reach Sous Roche Cia, and an hour or so to arrive at Col Frenay, 1600m.
Having passed the crest and forest section, we could take in the magnificent
mountain view (left). At that time of
day, we were in the shadows, which made the climb easier, though no less steep
(right) to go to the Pas de la
Suiffière.
Along the various paths, we sometimes come across reminders that we’re
in Chartreux territory (a sphere with a cross). We heard a plethora of marmots
on that day, but didn’t see hide nor hair of a single one. On the other hand,
we passed closed to their “house”, which is basically an underground gallery
with several entrances. It’s easily spottable with its oval shape and
digged-out stones at the front.
In 1h40, we arrived at the Pas de la Suiffière (1798m). Anton-E climbed to see what was up above, but saw nothing and
so we started off along the other side of the mountain towards Racapé. In fact,
at the Suiffière, there’s a climb/mini-rockclimb and according to what I later
read, you can reach the Grand Som via this crest, though with a few dangerous
and vertigo-inducing passages.
Our calmer way was more our thing…
…and
the arrival via this slope did fine by us (left).
We took 2 hours to arrive at Racapé (1820m)
then half an hour more to reach the cross.
We were alone, for the whole journey and upon arrival. Therefore, the orientation
table made itself useful and took our photo with the cross. And one more, one ☺
2h35 from
start to finish, all at a tranquil pace !
From up top, we have a fabulous view over the Pères Chatreux’s Monastery.
As with each hike, we brought our frozen quiche with us so that it can arrive still
nice and cold… and our pomme-potes. What a luxury it is to be eating “apple
ice-cream” at 2026m !
After three quarters of an hour’s
rest, and lunch shared with the jackdaws, it’s now down again with a view over
the Entremonts, the Granier, and the Mont Blanc range in the distance (see the blog on the 12th).
It’s at the Racapé that we went back to the left in the direction of the
Col des Aures, and the Col du Cucheron. The path was much easier to follow and
we did part of the descent running. Pékin Express here we come !
At the Col des Aures, a small man indicated
that there was a risk of falling, but by following the (rather large) path,
there were no worries. The downwards running pleased us, and even upon reaching
the Couzon, we started off again and “galloped” to reach La Coche (950m).
From there, only 10 minutes remained before the house and a well deserved slice
of bread with Nutella.
23/07/2012 Le Grand Som
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