Gioberney - North-East spur
A radiant, panoramic day in the heart of the Écrins.
With Adrienne & Tom.
Adrienne and Tom are back in La Bérarde this year to enjoy this little preserved corner with its majestic, wild mountains. Last year we got the rock shoes out for a beautiful friction climb on the Tête de la Maye. This time the objective gains altitude, as we are planning the normal route on Les Bans.
This early summer, marked by a succession of weather systems, makes things difficult: although tomorrow's weather is forecast to be perfect, the latest snowfalls have heavily plastered the faces, making conditions on this rocky normal route poor.
Fortunately, the Pilatte hut is the starting point for many routes around this beautiful, tortured glacial basin. Rather than a difficult attempt on Les Bans, we prefer to make the most of the fine day forecast and choose the north-east spur of the Gioberney.
A good choice: we are alone on this panoramic backbone, where snow and rock share the ascent in harmony. Progress is fluid and the terrain varied. Surprise: we even meet an adventurous chamois on the crest.
A beautiful crack guards the summit with a more climby pitch, and here we are straddling the Valgaudemar valley.
The weather is sublime and the mountain quiet that day. We take the time to savour these peaceful moments before starting the long flat descent into the Vénéon valley, whose source we have rubbed shoulders with!
A big thank you to you both for your motivation and your joy at being in the mountains!
Photo gallery...