Into the Alps: Val d'Hérens

text and photos: Xavier

datasheet:
Distance - 9,69km

Height gain - 1100m

Height lost - 1100m

Altitude Max - 2928m

Altitude min - 1820m

Effective walk: 3h
descent: 35min
track: aqui

video of the day

Beautiful saturday! The snow conditions were quite uncertain so we went to Palanche de la Cretta, a nice 1100m climb with soft hills on the descent, there is never a serious avalanche risk.
We did the normal route, stayed about one hour at the summit, nice temperature and sunny weather, on the way down we searched for untouched snow, finally it was better than expected, we had tons of fun.

Mont de l'Etoile

Dent Blanche

at the summit of Palanche de la Cretta

Dent Blanche and Matterhorn

Mont de l'Etoile and Pointe de la Vouasson

text and photos: Xavier

datasheet:
Distance - 13,09km

Height gain - 1525m

Height lost - 1525m

Altitude Max - 3365m

Altitude min - 1826m

Effective walk: 3h40m
descent: 45 min
track: aqui

video of the day

To this saturday i planned to climb Mont de l’Etoile(3369m) starting in La Gouille at Val d’Hérens, it’s a weird Winter this year, it did not snow for 3/4 weeks!
From La Gouille i follow the summer route to Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges, it’s a long way, near the hut i went north directly to the join the SE face of the Mont de l’Etoile, it tooked me about 3h45m to gain the 1550m of height diference, the weather was nice but once at the summit it was very cold, about -13C , i ate something, took a few pictures, admired the landscape and then it was time to return.
I followed almost entirely the same route as in the way up, once again the snow was not outstanding but i finished with a banana face, nice day passed on the mountain.