Traverse of the Grand Pic de Belledonne
A fantastic ride along the Belledonne crest.
With François.
After enjoying a pretty traverse of the Dents du Loup with François last autumn, we go back for more this year with one of the most beautiful routes in the Belledonne massif: the traverse of the Grand Pic de Belledonne. His great fitness lets us take on the objective as a day trip.
The approach is quickly swallowed and the crampons and ice axe just go for a walk in the pack: everything is already very dry, which reinforces the mineral atmosphere of the place. The Freydane glacier sweats from the heatwave; laid bare, its ice is dying like many glaciers this summer.
We reach the summit of the Grand Pic by the beautiful direct north ridge, staying on the crest where the rock and climbing are at their best. A few abseils then drop us at the Brèche Reynier, which marks the start of the traverse proper.
A few beautiful, spectacular passages take in each side of this beautiful mountain in turn. Once past the Pic Central, we finally land at the Croix de Belledonne after a splendid finish!
We are delighted and enjoy the moment before starting the most gruelling part of the day: the looong descent to the car.
Now that's a lovely airy outing to make you happy. Thank you and well done, François!
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