Skimo

Pain del Sucre from Saint-Rhémy

The steep final slope of the Pain de Sucre

Details

SS27 above Saint-Rhémy

Departure location

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Municipality

suitable for all

Effort

Difficulty

4.0

Rating

1.183 m

Ascent vertical drop

3h 15m

Ascent time

Description

Services in the surroundings

Eni Station - Gas Station

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.881 m

Prosciutteria Sous le Pont de Bosses

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.929 m

Nearby attractions

Church of Saint-Rhémy

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 658 m

Reviews

27/06/2024

kaneski

Description

Salito lungo l’itinerario del Fourchon, poco sotto la vetta ho deviato a sinistra, e seguendo la cresta ( si perdono 30 m), sono giunto sotto il salto finale del Pain de Sucre. L’ho risalito su ottime peste senza ramponi, qualcuno li ha usati. Discesa dalla vetta : circa 50 metri a 40 gradi poi altri 100 a 35 gradi, a questo punto , invece di deviare verso l’itinerario del Fourchon , ho continuato sulla destra concatenando bei pendii con bella pendenza. Ripellato e salito al Fourchon facendo così i 1000 metri sindacali .

Comment

Su tutto l'itinerario un firn primaverile che non patisce nulla. Ultima discesa alle 14 su neve ancora perfetta.

More info

Road access: Parcheggio sotto la malga

Upper section snow: Spring snow / Firn

Lower section snow: Spring snow / Firn

Snow altitude: 2300

Equipment: Skimo equipment

Details

SS27 above Saint-Rhémy

Departure location

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Municipality

suitable for all

Effort

Difficulty

3h 15m

Ascent time

1.715 m

Starting elevation

2.898 m

Arrival elevation

1.183 m

Ascent vertical drop

8.100 m

Total length

Dec - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May

Best period

medium

Crowding

4.0

Rating

Overview

The Pain de Sucre is a characteristic summit located in the vicinity of Mont Fourchon.
This route can be combined with the ascent to Mont Fourchon given the not excessive distance between the two peaks.
This route can also be counted among the end-of-season classics as it is often hiked after the reopening of the pass road.
The route proposed here describes access from the point where the road is closed in the winter period.
The ascent overall is very varied and pleasant, following in places the road to the Great St. Bernard Pass.
Reaching Alpe Baus, one undertakes the ascent of the gorge that anticipates the beautiful final slope.
From the summit the panorama over the Great St. Bernard Pass area as well as wide views of the Pennine Alps.
The descent is on the same slope with no particular route obligations.

Reaching the start

From the Aosta East tollbooth, take the tunnel leading into the Great Saint Bernard Valley and continue along it, passing the villages of Gignod, Etroubles and Saint-Oyen.
Just before Bosses turn right onto state road 27 for the Great Saint Bernard Pass.
Go past the village of Saint-Rhémy and after 1.3 km you reach the point where the road is no longer cleared of snow during the winter closure: you can park in the surrounding spaces.

The route

Proceed on the snow-covered road, following it faithfully until the shelf where you cross the Great St. Bernard stream.
Having crossed the stream, on the road bridge, turn right and take a forest track that slightly uphill skirts the hamlets of La Tuette 1778 m and shortly after passes below the Great St. Bernard Tunnel viaduct.
Descend slightly to the bottom of the valley and then climb the steep gully located in the center of the valley until you reach the Fonteinte esplanade.
Turn left leaving the road to proceed in a northerly direction pointing at the characteristic rock tower known as the Tour des Fous.
Leaving the Tour on the left, continue toward Alpe Baou 2369 m that anticipates the entrance to the wide final basin.
The climb continues with a succession of bumps and depressions before veering to the left making a nice semicircle before reaching a small saddle at an altitude of 2802 m, and leading to the north side of the Pain de Sucre to be climbed initially on skis, then on foot on a decidedly steep slope and finally overcoming some easy rocks to the summit 2898 m.

Descent:
The descent takes place on the ascent route.
Get your skis back and continue without any particular forced passages, with pleasant and pleasantly flowing slopes, until Fonteinte, then continue in the bottom of the valley until near the viaduct of the Great St. Bernard tunnel.
Final part on the ascent route.