Haute Cime via Van d'en Haut

We started from Van d'en Haut, a camping site. After 500m (1h) of moderate climbing, we reached the lake and the restaurant for a refreshment. Half an hour later, we started to the top.

The path around the lake is pleasant and easy, with many friendly cows. The next hour and a half to col de Susanfe requires traversing a deep cliff, but is otherwise not problematic. There are chains, but this time it was slightly tricky due to residual snow. Trekking poles were useful.

From col de Susanfe to the peak, it's a 2-hour long hard slog on slippery scree slopes and easy scrambling over blocks. The final couple of hundred meters were painfully slow.

Reaching the top, a dizzying panorama very suddenly reveals itself, as the north face of the peak is extremely precipitous. Or rather, it would. In our case, we only saw swirling clouds and cliffs getting lost in the vapours below. It was still rather impressive, though.

The way down (3 hours to the restaurant - a long stop for dinner -  plus another hour to the car) was OK, but my feet are still hurting.