Maurienne rock climbing

After a week of colder weather the forecast was good for the day yesterday, and Dominique called me keen for a climb in the Maurienne valley. A pre-dawn start saw us heading over the Col De L'Iseran and down to Bonneval at the head of the Maurienne. 3 hours walk got us to the bottom of the 'Dame du Carro' on the Cime du Carro, and 9 pitches of quality steep gneiss.



The summit sits on the French/Italian border and gave a spectacular panorama from the Gran Paradiso, through the Valais peaks, round to Mont Blanc, the Ecrins very clear, and the South side of the Maurienne - Ciamarella, Albaron. An interesting abseil descent (hmm) got us back to earth, and a well earned drink back at the Refuge du Carro:




Here's a couple of pictures of the South Ridge of the Pointe des Creux Noirs above Pralognan, which gave an interesting day out soloing a few weeks ago: