Malatra (Col de)

October 30, 2020 | skialpgsb | La seconda parte della salita I La deuxième partie de la montée I The second part of the ascent I Zweiter Teil des Aufstiegs I La segunda parte de la ascensión

October 30, 2020 | skialpgsb | Nella parte bassa del vallone I Dans la partie inferieure du vallon I In the lower part of the valley I Im unteren Talabschnitt I En la parte baja del valle

October 30, 2020 | skialpgsb | Negli ampi pendii finali I Dans les vastes pentes finales I In the nice final slopes I In den weiten abschließenden Hängen I En las extensas pendientes finales

October 30, 2020 | skialpgsb | Il ripido tratto finale I La partie raide à la fin I The steep final stretch I Der steile Schlussabschnitt I El pronunciado tramo final

October 30, 2020 | skialpgsb | La ripida uscita al colle I La sortie raide du col I The steep exit to reach the col I Der steile Austritt zum Sattel I La empinada salida al collado

October 30, 2020 | skialpgsb | In discesa nella parte bassa del vallone I La descente dans la partie inférieur du vallon I Going down in the lower part of the valley I In der Abfahrt im unteren Talabschnitt I En bajada en la parte inferior del valle

Details

Vertical drop (m): 1266
Starting altitude (m): 1663
Top/Max altitude (m): 2929
Exposure: E
Ski grade: BS
Route type: Wide slopes

Start point

Mottes

Note

Beta
- Timing: 3h30’ up
- Best season: February to mid April
- Aspect of the descent: E
- Ascent length: 6.760m

Tracking the mythical westward passage

The Col de Malatra is an iconic point between two rock shoulders on the slope that extends from the Aiguille d’Artanavaz as far as Mont Tapie. Very popular in the summer - does the Tor des Géants ring any bell? - it is less so in the winter: for this reason, it is a solitary, intimate route in this season. Its typical rocky structure makes this a highly evocative itinerary, granting original, exciting views with regards to other routes close by.
The ascent takes place along the long Combe de Merdeux, via a series of shelves offering varying vistas as you proceed. Once you have reached the last step, you will enter a picturesque amphitheatre where the col blends with the various outcrops making up the sharp ridge.
The first stretch at the bottom of the valley and the last steep section leading to the col must be undertaken only with well-anchored slopes and sound snow conditions.
Despite a limited view, the panorama from the Malatra Col is sensational: the view onto not-too-distant Mont Blanc is among the most celebrated in the entire region.
The descent is via your uptrack, following pleasant gradient changes, which make it very enjoyable.
This is a somewhat difficult route, considering the length and the approach to the col: it is thus recommended for good ski mountaineers.

Approach

From the motorway exit Aosta Est, take the tunnel leading to the Grand Saint Bernard valley, then follow it and go beyond the hamlets of Gignod, Etroubles and Saint-Oyen. Leave the road going up to the Grand Saint Bernard pass to the right and keep going on the state road E27 until you find the exit for the resort of Crévacol to the right. Continue for about 500m until you reach the big car park: leave the car on its west side.

Description

Head due W going under the flyover of the Grand Saint Bernard tunnel and, following the track of the forestry road, climb the first shallow slope. Run alongside the house of Devies and enter the Merdeux valley, along a shallow slope, passing Limassey and then reaching the Pots pasture (1,791m). Go along the base of the Merdeux valley and then climb up to the right, towards the Tsa de Merdeux (2.273m). Shortly afterwards, the slope gets steeper and the route goes via a complex section with hillocks that lead to the sensational final amphitheatre. Go along a slightly flat area before tackling the steep final wall and reaching the rocky inlet of the col, your altitude 2.929m.

Descent
Make the descent freely along your skin track. The steep final wall becomes fertile lappable land for amazing storm skiing. After that, the gradient goes from shallow to moderately steep, until you reach the final stretch, where the slope shallows out.

Last revision December 6, 2020
Contributors: skialpgsb

Proponi una modifica all'itinerario
scrivendo a redazione@gulliver.it