Another beautiful sunny day in Savoie and Haute Savoie of the French Alps.? We set off to the Aravis, a mountain range between Annecy and Megeve that includes the winter resorts of La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand.
The via ferrata the Tour de la Jalouvre is located between Le Grand Bornand and the Col de la Colombiere.? After a short walk with the sound of cowbells in our ears we reached the foot of the route.? The first section is generally straightforward apart from a small overlap where the arms are woken from their slumbers.
Higher up is the tower, the aptly named “Pilier des Courants d’Air” that is reached by crossing the bridge “Passerelle du Gypaete”.? The pillar is steep with exposure below one’s feet but a steady, calm approach brings you easily to the top.? From here the angle eases although the exposure continues.? Now on the crest of the long spur easy but continuous climbing brought us to the top of the route.? After some lunch it was time to attack the descent across paths and limestone karst.? Movement in the sky attracted my attention and I spotted a “Gypaete” (Bearded Vulture or Lammergaier) gracefully traversing the mountain-side.? After a final cable protected descent we gained the large couloir that leads to the summit and a steep but steady descent.
