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Simply Savoie

Guided walking – snowshoeing – via ferrata in the French Alps with Mark Tennent

Aravis

Via Ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard

Via Ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard

The via ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard is in a great position close to the Col des Aravis and near the village of La Clusaz in Haute Savoie.? It is a beautifully situated above the alpine pastures and as you approach the route you may hear the sound of cow bells.? You may even want to visit one of the nearby farms selling Reblochon (the local cheese).

Leaving the car park the path leads you up through pine woods before you emerge at the base of the cliff.? There’s rock climbing routes to your left.? The via ferrata starts on steep limestone and overall takes a rising traverse up the cliff.? A short steep section close to the start gives you an idea of the difficulty that you may encounter.? Easier ground leads to a steep section, “le donjon des Deux Niches” (the dungeon of the two nests literally translated).? As you progress the route unfolds.

One of the classic views of the via ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard is a “Nepal Bridge” of about 20m, in an airy position.? This takes you on to another steep wall.? The route continues until, close to the end, two choices present themselves.? Either get ready for a short but sharp section with an overhang to test your arms and motivation or continue traversing before arriving at the end of the route.

The descent is straightforward across some inclined slabs before reaching wooded terrain, and a footpath leading down to the car park.

Mark’s Opinion

A superb via ferrata to be savoured!

Via Ferrata La Tour de la Jalouvre

The via ferrata La Tour de la Jalouvre is set in magnificent surroundings in the Aravis mountain range.

The route follows the left hand side of the the Jalouvre in great positions including a Nepal bridge and a steep wall.

 

Via Ferrata in the Aravis

A great day out yestereday near the Col des Aravis on the via ferrata ?Yves Pollet-Villard?. Graded ?D? the via ferrata does a rising traverse up the cliff with views out over the Col. Some nice situations and the classic view of the Nepal footbridge. For those who want a little physical challenge the direct finish over the roof is fun. It was a pleasant surprise to see, at less than 50m, a chamois with it?s young cabri on the descent after the climb. Since it was in the 30?s yet again today the afternoon was rounded off with a refreshing swim in Lac d?Annecy.

Via Ferrata in the Aravis – Col des Aravis

The sunny weather continues, for now, in Savoie or should I say Haute Savoie.? Driving from Albertville I crossed the “frontier” into Haute Savoie and into the land of “Reblochon” (the wonderful creamy cheese synonymous with the Aravis and an essential ingredient in the heart warming Tartiflette).? The sound of cow bells tinkling in the fields greeted us as we parked up.

A short walk on a path through the woods led up to the start.? This via ferrata does a rising traverse on the cliffs overlooking the Col des Aravis.? The views extend into the Beaufortain and we could make out the distinct shape of the Pierra Menta.? In the other direction we could see La Tournette above lac d’Annecy and Thones.

It was quite busy today and there were parties in front and behind.? Soon we were clear of the trees and with a great view out over the “alpages”.? A short steep wall as you leave a small “cave” and then soon after the footbridge; a classic picture of this via ferrata.? Time to take? some more pictures!? The route continues it’s traverse until right near the end where a choice is made between the “direct finish” and the more gentle finish.? The direct finish takes in a small but athletic overhang.? I climbed up and “installed” myself just above so that I could give a helping hand with the rope if necessary.? Andrew and Tom made it without problems and although the rope was clipped in neither required it’s assistance.

Soon we were at the top and getting out our picnic; charcuterie, fresh bread from the boulangerie in La Giettaz and some small cherry tomatoes from my garden.? The walk down starts off amongst small pines.? On the way down movement at my feet suddenly grabbed my attention.? It was a small viper, with it’s distinctive diamond/wedged shaped head, luckily it hadn’t bitten me or if it had tried it had got a mouthful of my La Sportiva boots!

Another great day.

Before the Storm! Via Ferrata at Thones, Haute Savoie

The forecast on Bleu Savoie indicated that the morning would be good with increasing cloud from the west.? It then stated that there would be heavy, thundery showers with strong gusts of wind.? Forewarned is forearmed!

We drove alongside Lac d’Annecy and then took the turning to Thones passing through the village of Bluffy.? A quick stop at the boulangerie for bread and a second breakfast pain au chocolat!? 5 minutes later we were parked a the foot of the via ferrata on a cliff above the village of Thones.? Back in Reblochon country.

We geared up by the boot and set off for the short walk to the foot of the route.? This via ferrata has a rather different ambiance above the town.? You can see people swimming in the pool and the market stalls around the church in the centre of Thones.? Arriving at the start of the via ferrata time for a quick reminder on safety and a double-check of harnesses, etc.

The route starts as it means to go on and soon you are traversing across 2 wires facing out over the impressive drop over the town.? At the end of this a steep wall reminds you that you are in a vertical environment.? The route continues with steep walls and traverses.? There’s an “escape” route around 2/3 of the way if time, inclination or weather indicates.? The weather was still good but there was an increasing amount of dark cloud forming in the direction of the Parmelan.

The finale of this via ferrata is a very overhanging section which is arguably the hardest via ferrata in France.? For those who are not sure of the strength in their arms and ability to reclip their slings at each rebelay there’s a ladder!? Before we took this option we watched a youngish man tackle the overhang wearing rock boots and a chalk bag!? His female companion attempted to follow but was rebuffed by the overhang unable to make the reach and “lock off” required to continue on the impending headwall.? She managed to reverse back down but took a short fall on to her kit – unhurt; but it demonstrated that via ferrata should be taken seriously.

After the ladder a short section climbing on limestone “rigoles” to the top.? With the increasingly black sky we chose to head for the descent rather than eat our picnic at the top.? The descent is protected by cables and takes quite some time.? We had got off the cable in the heavily wooded lower slopes when huge gusts of wind hit the trees.? Soon this was joined by heavy rain.? A quick scramble for our jackets and then a rapid descent to the vehicle.