Gran Combin, a large mountain in Lower Valais

A mighty peak in the French Valais

Region: Valais, Switzerland
Fitness Kondition

Technic Technik

maximum participants: 1
Prices: Euro 1650.-
Included: Organization, reservation, guided tour by state-certified mountain and ski guides

Tour Character

A classic, difficult alpine tour. Mostly easy rocky terrain of UIAA grade II; cruxes up to III+/IV-. The entire climb is a combined route, meaning it alternates between rocky and glacial sections. The rocks can also be snow-covered or icy. Also note the high summit elevation of 4,310 m. A prior acclimatization or training tour is therefore highly recommended! Example: Mont Velan via the Arete de la Gouille.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Required Skill and Fitness Level

Skill: Safe walking with crampons is required, even on exposed snow ridges. Short passages (max. 80 m) can be up to 40 degrees steep (depending on conditions). Fast climbing on rocky terrain with difficulty levels III to III+.

Fitness: Daily stages up to 11 hours (see tour description).

Meeting point: Sembrancher, Bahnhof

Tour Description

The Gran Combin, with its three peaks (four if you include the Aiguille du Croissant), is a mighty, isolated massif. We start from the beautifully situated Valsorey Hut and ascend the mountain via the Meitin Ridge. Reaching the first peak, the Combin de Valsorey (4,186 m), the route continues over glaciers over all the peaks of the Gran Combin to the easternmost, the Combin de la Tsessette (4,135 m). With multiple abseils, we reach the Tour de Boussine, from where we complete the traverse to Lac de Mauvoisin.

Details

Number of participants: 1 person per mountain guide.

Services included: Organization, reservation, guided tour by a state-certified mountain guide.
Services excluded: Overnight stay and half board at the hut for guests and mountain guide.
Accommodation: Cabane de Valsorey.
Misc: Insurance (accident, trip cancellation) is the responsibility of the participants. Please read the general terms and conditions.

Dates on request Book Tour now

Day 1

Meeting point at the train station of Sembrancher. With public transport to Bourg Saint Pierre. Ascent to the Cabane de Valsortey.

1400 m

0 m

4 hrs

Day 2

About two hours before dawn, we set off toward the Meitingrat. This ridge mostly presents only mild climbing difficulties. A few sections require a III+ grade. The Meitingrat ends at the Combin de Valsorey, 4186 m. From there, an easy glacier passage leads over the main summit (Combin de Grafeneire, 4313 m) to the Aiguille du Croissant (4259 m). This is followed by a climb of about 80 meters up the Mur de la Côte, which has a gradient of about 40 to 45 degrees. This is easy to climb with good snow cover, but requires belaying when icy. After the Mur de la Côte, we reach a flat glacial saddle, from which the third summit (Combin de la Tsessette, 4135 m) is easily accessible. Easy rocks now lead to the first of a total of eight abseil points. After the spectacular abseiling, we climb the easy ridge that leads over a glacier to the Tour de Boussine (3,831 m, with a return ascent of approximately 100 m). Via its east ridge and south flank, we reach a small glacier, at the lower edge of which the difficulty of the tour ends. In about 1.5 hours, we reach Lac de Mauvoisin, from where a taxi takes us back to the starting point.

1600 m

2400 m

10 to 11 hrs