600m
Note
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12.2Km
14.8Km
17.8Km
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18.8Km
18.9Km
19.5Km
600m
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Point of departure: Champex 1497m
Elevation gain: 1296m
Dislivello in discesa: 1296m
Best season: November - March
Difficulty: MS
Aspect of the descent: NE
Approach
Elevation gain: 1296m
Dislivello in discesa: 1296m
Best season: November - March
Difficulty: MS
Aspect of the descent: NE
From Aosta, make your way towards the Great Saint Bernard tunnel and cross it. Once in Switzerland, go down the valley as far as the signpost marking the entrance to Orsières. Turn right just after it and follow a B road that will lead you to inside the village. Reach the bridge that crosses the Dranse river, then turn left towards Champex-La Fouly. Upon exiting Orsières (Somlaproz), turn right towards Champex. Once you have reached it, carry on as far as the ski lifts, where you will park your car.
Description
So as to avoid the ski lifts from the get go, start your outing from the road that leaves 50m before the lift departure. Keep going on it as far as the Relais D’Arpette. From here you will see the top, with the Col des Ecandies in full view.
Keep going, skirting the track (a bordo pista) until you reach 1821m. Turn left here, continuing on a straight line as far as the Arpette valley, keeping in the centre of the valley as best as you can. You will initially cross a wood of sparse larch trees, that will then open up onto a false plain. At an elevation of 2100m, veer slightly to your left toward the Aiguilles d’Arpette. Just under the morain, at the foot of the Col d’Arpette, make your way towards the small saddle to the left and climb up it.
Avoiding the steep slopes as best as you can, keep going in the bowl, aiming at the Col des Ecandies. Having reached the top, you will admire a superb panorama on the many Trient seracs, surmounted by the Aiguilles du Tour.
Make the descent via your uptrack.
Nearby Map
Routes
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Ecandies (Col des)
0m
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Drone (Pointe du)
17.8Km
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Telliers (Monts)
17.8Km
January 14, 2021 VS, Bagnes D+ 1782 m MS NE
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Col Fenêtre Circular
18.9Km
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A ski route along the Arbi Valley
19.5Km
Services
600m
600m
BnB La Grange B&B
Champex-Lac
650m
Boulangerie-pâtisserie Tea-Room Gentiana Restaurant
Champex-Lac
800m
Hotel du Glacier Hotel
Champex-Lac
850m
Glacier Restaurant
Champex-Lac
900m
Edelweiss Sports Facilities
Champex-Lac
900m
Hôtel Sunways Hotel
Champex-Lac
1Km
Gîte Bon-Abri B&B
Champex-Lac
1Km
Au 1465 Restaurant
Champex-Lac
1Km
