Altitude: 2000 m (base of route)
Height: 400 m
Number of routes: 13
Route rating/difficulty: 4b: 1, 5a: 2, 5b: 4, 5c: 10, 6a: 4, 6b: 6, 6c: 7, 7a: 8, 7b: 3, 7c: 2, 8a: 1
Type of rock: limestone
Aspect: southwest facing, in the shade in the morning, sunny and potentially very hot in the afternoon.
Approach: 1 hour 30 minutes
To consider:
A series of 4 towers made up of fantastic, bulletproof limestone, the routes consist of a mix of technical face climbing, steep vertical pockets, and even friction slabs. Bring 50 m double ropes and 14 quickdraws.
Descend via the steep couloir to viewer's right of the routes (bring your approach shoes with you on the climb).
Topo: information from the Aravis guidebook (28 climbing areas, 600 routes, 1400 pitches), which you can purchase through the Compagnie des Guides des Aravis (Aravis guide service) - www.compagnie-guides-aravis.com
- Sport
Rock climbing: multi-ptich route on La Mamule
La Mamule tops out at 2404 m, and is the summit that separates the Grande Forclaz and Mont Charvet coombs.
About
Prices
Free
Reception
Period of practice
From spring to autumn, depending on snow and weather conditions. Inquire about conditions before heading out. You are responsible for your own safety.
- Parking
Contacts
Access
Ask for information at the Tourism Office or refer to the guidebook to locate the different climbing areas.
From La Clusaz, take the road that leads to Les Confins. Park in the parking lot at the end of the road. Take the wide hikers' trail for 10 minutes to "Paccaly d'en Bas" (a small hamlet). From there, take the trail called "Tour de la mouche" that leads for 15 minutes up the Paccaly coomb to a place called "Paccaly d'en Haut". Continue left towards the Tardevant coomb until you reach an intersection. At the intersection take the trail to the left that heads to the Grande Forclaz coomb. This will take 15 minutes. Head up the coomb and after roughly 40 minutes head left up the talus and around the small cliff up to the base of the face by traversing left (another 10 minutes). The start of the route "Tonneau des Danaïdes" is on the ridge line to your right, straight above the talus. Total approach time is 1.5 hours.
Note: "Combe" in French means "coomb" in English, as well as "gully or small valley". The Aravis Mountains are made up of a series of "coombs", and are referred to on both the topographic map as well as in the guidebook.
