UKC

I have been a regular patron of the Couvercle Refuge for getting on for forty years now, though my last visit was about 5 years ago. The approach was always up the Mer de Glace, then across the tedious moraine to Les Egralets (ladders) then more or less straight up to the refuge.

For an upcoming trip I thought it prudent to purchase a new map, and was intrigued to see a new path marked leading to the Couvercle. This approach goes diagonally across the Mer de Glace from Montenvers to the foot of the Flammes de Pierre Ridge, then countours below the Charpoua Glacier, then round the South West Ridges of the Moine to the Couvercle.

I think there has always been a track of sorts, but it was never marked on maps, which would indicate that it was now being mooted as an alternative approach.

Has anyone used this track? How does it compare in difficulty to the original route?

I intend to take walkers, as opposed to climbers to the Couvercle, and they have always managed the Les Egralets approach, so I am curious if this new approach would be feasible.

Many Thanks.

In reply to Fredt:

This is a partly equipped path - handrails, ladders etc. It takes longer than the regular way (I've only used it in descent a couple of times, a few years back) as it does quite a few ups and downs that you don't expect. It's very dangerous in stormy weather as it traverses a number of couloirs - it regularly gets damaged by stonefall. Quite entertaining if you're not in a hurry.

In reply to Fredt:
Have used it in ascent a couple of times and would def recomend it. Dont think there is anything more taxing than the ladders on the normal route that you are used to, and its much quieter and with great views. Only tricky bit might be getting onto the ladders from the mer de glace, i havent done it this year so dont know what that bit is like now, but I imagine there will be a bit of rope to tug on at least. Ideally you would have a helmet for crossing the first big couloir although you would need to be reasonably unlucky to get hit by anything. Def doable for competent walkers.

In reply to Fredt:
this may be of use:
http://home.versatel.nl/ariannetracy/huthiking.html
although it was November and the ladders coming down had already been dismantled for the winter. i remember it as being a beautiful hike even with a few other things keeping me occupied.

In reply to Fredt:

It is more demanding than the normal approach. More uphill and much more ladders. But it's a very nice route. If your friends can handle the normal route without any problems they can handle this one too. It just takes more time.

The route is called Balcon de la Mer de Glace, so google with that.

I've done it twice and in September 2006 it looked like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hukkis/sets/72157604915572602/

The route goes below the Charpoua hut so you might want to visit that one too. The location of the hut is spectacular:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hukkis/414546726/in/set-72157604915572602/

The guardian leaves the hut before September but the door is open and it serves as a winter room.