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⚠️ Please note: see the practical information on the necessary equipment.
(S/E) From the car park on the D526 immediately next to the bridge over the Rieu Claret stream, climb north-westwards up the grassy slopes on the left bank of the stream until you reach one of the paths running alongside the stream and its waterfalls, staying on the left bank. Continue in this direction until you reach IGN elevation 2065m.
(1). A large rock and the confluence of two streams mark this point. Do not cross either stream and take the path on the left bank of the Pin stream (the one on the "right" when looking uphill). This path climbs northwards up a steep slope below the Grosse Pierre and the Brèche du Pin.
(2) A second confluence of small streams appears when the slope levels off. Stay on the left bank of the right-hand stream and continue north along its bed. Pass a tiny lake and continue through a small gully, still heading north.
(3) At the end of the narrow passage, the slope becomes less steep. Turn right at a right angle to the west to proceed without difficulty over the rounded rocks leading to two small lakes. Pass between these lakes and turn right towards the north, in the direction of the clearly visible Col de Buyant.
(4) Climb up to the pass, keeping to the right-hand side of the valley leading to the pass. Reach the ridge and follow it to the left (south-west) to a gently sloping snowfield below the summit of Rochers de Buyant.
(5) On the right of the rocky ridge bordering the snowfield, a weak spot allows you to descend onto a much steeper snowfield (or scree in midsummer) bordering the Rocher Blanc Glacier to the east. Gain a foothold on this snowfield and continue west under the ridges of the Rochers de Buyant, then towards an unnamed pass (IGN 2800m) where you can regain a foothold on the ridge leading to the Rocher Blanc. Stay on the right side of this ridge.
(6) This ridge leads to the enormous rectangular cairn/tumulus that marks the summit of Rocher Blanc. The descent is due south, first on rocky slopes and then on scree. You will reach the ridge that marks the Col de l'Amiante. Stay slightly below this ridge on the east side (towards Lac de l'Amiante and the valley you climbed up). If you find this rocky passage daunting, you can simply go around it by descending to the snowfield/scree below the rock slabs. In both cases, continue south towards Col de l'Amiante, the lowest point on the ridge.
(7) At Col de l'Amiante, descend the snowfields or scree slopes due east towards Lac de l'Amiante. Once past the lake, continue due west on relatively flat terrain dotted with rounded rocks until you cross a small stream. Descend the left bank of this stream over scree until you reach grassy slopes. With a bit of luck, you will spot a vague path heading west until it reaches a large stream. With a little less luck, head west until you reach the same stream.
(8) Before reaching this stream, head south down a shoulder of land bordering the stream to find weak spots in the terrain that will allow you to gain a foothold in the Ruisseau de Buyant valley. Once in the valley, descend along the bed of any of the streams towards the east to rejoin the ascent route below the crossing point on the way up.
(1) Once on this route, descend to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Difficult 
Easy 
