For this 3-day raid, we planned a small ski touring loop in the Cerces massif which is located not far from Briançon. The weather forecast is not the best in the world but it is well motivated that we go up the Clarée valley towards Névache. To save time we decided to go up to the Buffere refuge in the evening after the team has left work. The track maintained by the refuge allows you to get there in less than 1 hour from the Rately bridge. The refuge is welcoming and very comfortable.
At the Refuge Buffere
In the early morning we go up the valley towards our first objective: the peak overlooking the Sagne Noire. The snow has refrozen well this night and the conditions are perfect, everything is smooth! The climb is fast and the ridge is magnificent. The descent to the Cristol lake is on carpet***, everyone is having a blast. We put our skins back on and follow the hollow of the Cristol valley towards the Crête de Cristol then the Echaillon. In big curves on dream snow we descend to the refuge for a short “carbonara pasta” stop before setting off again for a big crossing towards the Charbonnel refuge via Casse Pinière. D+: 1300m
After a good night, the whole team sets off again for the day’s objective: Le Vallon de la Grande Manche. The cloudy weather at the start improves and we arrive at the ridge with a great view! It wasn’t planned but as the conditions are good, I decide to go down the south side to make a loop via the Col de Roche Noire. Good choice, top conditions and here we are back at the refuge where we pick up a few things before going to join the pretty Ricou refuge. D+: 1200m
The refuge is full but we had a good night and this morning we head towards the Pic du Lac Blanc. Between sun and clouds we rise in a special atmosphere, we feel like we are in Iceland. The ridge leading us to the Peak is magnificent! Some passages are done on foot but it remains easy. We descend straight to the Lac Blanc then into the large wild valley which leads back to Névache. A picnic stop at the Chapelle Saint Michel allows us to appreciate the beauty of the mountains of this massif really suited to ski touring. D+: 1000m
