The Vanoise national park

"Go, climb the rugged Alps, ambitious fool,
To please the boys, and be a theme at school."    — Juvenal, Satires.
On this page:

Petit Arcelin


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Going up the Petit Arcelin, with the big one in the background.

Left: Going up the Petit Arcelin, with the big one in the background.


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The Petit Arcelin. The climb in in the shaded part.

Right: The Petit Arcelin. The climb in in the shaded part.


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Halfway up the Petit Arcelin.

Left: Halfway up the Petit Arcelin.


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Dicey piled-up slabs, but good friction.

Right: Dicey piled-up slabs, but good friction.


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The entire route moves sideways, staying below the ridge, so beware if there's a crowd of guides and clients up on the easier ridge route.

Left: The entire route moves sideways, staying below the ridge, so beware if there's a crowd of guides and clients up on the easier ridge route.


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Summit of the route on the Petit Arcelin.

Right: Summit of the route on the Petit Arcelin.


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Edelweiss flowers are everywhere in the park.

Left: Edelweiss flowers are everywhere in the park.


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Big spider trying its luck at catching hikers.

Right: Big spider trying its luck at catching hikers.




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Hiking up towards the base of the Vanoise Needle, above Cow lake.

Aiguille de la Vanoise


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Shepherd houses or their ruins at the entrance of the park.

Left: Shepherd houses or their ruins at the entrance of the park.

Right: Hiking up towards the base of the Vanoise Needle, above Cow lake. Purchase this image on a royalty-free CD archive compilation


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Vertical panorama from the Vanoise needle.

Left: Vertical panorama from the Vanoise needle.


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A blue-eyed girl on 'La fille aux yeux verts'.

Right: A blue-eyed girl on 'La fille aux yeux verts'.


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While climbing on the Vanoise needle, the higher peaks in the back of the valley become increasingly visible. On the right 'La Grande Casse' is getting into view.

Right: While climbing on the Vanoise needle, the higher peaks in the back of the valley become increasingly visible. On the right 'La Grande Casse' is getting into view. Purchase this image on a royalty-free CD archive compilation


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Upper part of 'La fille aux verts'.

Left: Upper part of 'La fille aux verts'. Purchase this image on a royalty-free CD archive compilation


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Last pitch on 'La fille aux verts'.

Right: Last pitch on 'La fille aux verts'.


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Summit of the Vanoise needle with 'La Grande Casse' in the background.

Right: Summit of the Vanoise needle with 'La Grande Casse' in the background. Purchase this image on a royalty-free CD archive compilation


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Carcass of a dead mountain goat before the Grande Casse.

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Ruins of an old mountain hut in the Vanoise.

Left: Carcass of a dead mountain goat before the Grande Casse.

Right: Ruins of an old mountain hut in the Vanoise.


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Horse wandering around the park.

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Sleepy marmot.

Left: Sleepy marmot.

Right: Horse wandering around the park.




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Portette lake, under the Pierra Menta.

Grande Parei


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Martin leading the way on the Grande Parei, a ridge leading to the Pierra Menta.

Left: Portette lake, under the Pierra Menta.

Right: Martin leading the way on the Grande Parei, a ridge leading to the Pierra Menta.


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Rock field near the Portette lake.

Left: Rock field near the Portette lake.


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We combined two routes on a lovely day. It's been a long time since I last hooked up with a rec.climber, but there are still a few of them around, even in Europe.

Right: We combined two routes on a lovely day. It's been a long time since I last hooked up with a rec.climber, but there are still a few of them around, even in Europe.



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The 3 hour long approach is rewarded with an outstanding view on Mt blanc.

Pointe de l'Observatoire

Right: The 3 hour long approach is rewarded with an outstanding view on Mt blanc. Image available as a free wallpaper


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1st pitch of the route, after a tiny neve, even this late in the summer.

Left: 1st pitch of the route, after a tiny neve, even this late in the summer.


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Jenny at the end of the first pitch.

Right: Jenny at the end of the first pitch.


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Oops, I just went offroute, changing route after some runout on what is normally a well bolted climb.

Left: Oops, I just went offroute, changing route after some runout on what is normally a well bolted climb.


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Higher up on the slab, with the Peclet-Polset hut near the Lac Blanc.

Right: Higher up on the slab, with the Peclet-Polset hut near the Lac Blanc.


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10th and last pitch of the route.

Left: 10th and last pitch of the route.


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Summit of the Pointe de l'Observatoire.

Right: Summit of the Pointe de l'Observatoire.


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Full 360° pano With the Echelle Pt on the left, the Polset Pt and the Dent Parrachée.

Above: Full 360° pano With the Echelle Pt on the left, the Polset Pt and the Dent Parrachée. Image available as a free wallpaper


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Looking at the Corneillets from the descent.

Left: Looking at the Corneillets from the descent.


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Cows grazing the rumex in front of the Corneillets. Below cheese makers sell their barely prepared fares to the passing hikers.

Right: Cows grazing the rumex in front of the Corneillets. Below cheese makers sell their barely prepared fares to the passing hikers.