La Combe des ChamoisCourchevel, France | FreeRide Sector: Crete de Plan Mugnier
Ride Date:
27 Dec 23Snow conditions:
IcyAvalanche level:
3 - ConsiderableTerrain:
Back countryWeather conditions:
SunnyPrecipitation:
ClearElevation entry point:
2300mElevation exit point:
1900mAspect:
North EastMax slope angle:
Between 30 and 45 degreesDrop in:
CorniceExit:
Ski outThe most northerly and least exposed descent from the Crete de Plan Mugnier NE face. A seldom visited and shaded valley where the snow holds long after the last snowfall and all other routes are tracked out.
The ascent and descent follow the same route into the valley. From the top of the Pyramides button lift follow the Plan Mugnier blue piste and immediately start to track as high as possible in a northerly direction underneath the Cretes des Plan Mugnier feature. At some point you will need to transition to skins and begin your climb into La Combe des Chamois. The skinning is not complex and the kick turns are not especially high stakes. You should reach the top of the ridge within 60 minutes. You will want to transition on the ridge itself, which requires cutting through an over-hanging cornice - this is the only gnarly section of the ascent. Keep your distance and make sure your rescuer (should you need one) is well away from any potential collapse and ready to assist if needed.
What 3 Words entry point
https://w3w.co/toads.hyped.stylishWhat 3 Words exit point
https://w3w.co/cooled.bulked.pronouncedYou will need skins for this route but little else. If harscheisen are required then it's probably an indicator that the snow has degraded to an extent that the return trip will not be much fun and might be a good reason to abandon the effort and return another day.
Heading up into the Crete de Plan Mugnier via the Combe des Chamois is probably the most labour intensive approach (check out Equinox and Tip Top for easier ways to get there) but it's a cracking little adventure as you criss-cross the valley up to the ridge above.
Breaking through the cornice onto the ridge feels exposed and is not without risk but this is not a super gnarly line and even a fall here would most likely not be critical.
There's so much to like about this line. The solitude of the ascent, the amazing perch on the ridge with views down to the Chanrossa chairlift on the other side and the long descent back to the Plan Mugnier piste. The fact that you can score fresh tracks here in near perfect conditions long after the last snowfall makes this line super special. Most folks, if they are lucky, only get to see the chamois after which the valley is named from the viewing point at the bottom of the Marmottes chairlift. By taking on this line, you get to share their landscape, see their tracks in the snow and may even be rewarded with an up-close encounter.
Transition on the ridge before dropping back through the cornice into the valley below.
Skinning up the perpetually shaded Valley des Chamois.
Chamois inhabit mountains, alpine meadows, steep slopes, and rocky terrain between 1,000 and 3,000 metres. They're nature's ultimate FreeRiders and can reach speeds of 50 kilometres per hour, even over rocky terrain. Photo: Mario Nonaka www.fascinationwildlife.com
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