Trek around Monte Viso in 5 days, stage 2

Snow on the Italian side, from 2600 m, first half of July 2024. Passage without crampons, although poles recommended.

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Very good for the track, thanks Visorando!

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no more neves in july 2022

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We did this stage in 2 days with a stop at the GRANERO Refuge, just to make the most of it and get into shape... At the VISO refuge, we had a very interesting talk by Aubin from the Réserve du Haut Queyras: Fauna, Flora, Geology, Weather...
Please note: The Viso refuge requires you to cut the cord: no electricity, no network... I understand the approach, but it's not cool when you have to deal with the hospitalisation of your elderly mother.

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Poorly trained because of the confinement, I did this hike in two days, stopping at the Granero hut.

Departure from the Jarvis hut at 8am. On the climb between the valley floor and the Granero hut, the markings are very frequent (about every 10 metres), which I was later told was because of the mist that fills the valley almost daily. We arrived at Granero at around 11am.

The reception at the Granero hut was very friendly; they spoke French and allowed me to use the telephone. Compliance with the barrier measures was satisfactory. When I woke up, there were several chamois around the refuge.

The next day, we left at around 7.40am. Knowing that I had to pass by the lake, I had no problems finding the right path. The climb to the Col Seillière is tough, but I got through it by taking lots of breaks to catch my breath and get my heart rate down. I had 3 névés to cross.

Although I'm prone to vertigo, I didn't feel it at the pass. The times indicated on the signs at the pass show that the French and Italians have different ideas of walking pace. To go from the Col Seillière to the Granero refuge, it takes 1 hour for the French and 40 minutes for the Italians. The same goes for the Col Seillière to the Viso refuge. The French times are the most realistic.

After the first 50 metres, the descent is not particularly difficult. From the ruined sheepfold, I was able to see many marmots.

We arrived at the Viso refuge at around 11am. We were given a very warm welcome, and in the evening there were 32 hikers for 65 people, but the dining room was too small to accommodate the barriers, so we were squeezed onto the tables during the meal.

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Hello, be careful when leaving the GRANERO refuge, the signs are on the right of the chalets. We didn't see it and headed for the MANZOL pass, which is never signposted either at the summit or on the descent to the LOWIS refuge. In short, we wasted hours on this route with inadequate Italian markings. Make sure you find the signs before setting off.

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At the bottom of the valley, there are 2 possible routes up to the Granero refuge: under the trees to the left (which is shaded) or to the right in a scree slope (less used).
Behind the Granero refuge: a very pretty little lake.

The end of the climb to the Col Seillière is very steep: the Italians don't know their way around zigzags very well It's almost a straight climb!

Ibexes on the climb....
Beautiful view from the pass! Hop, we're in France.

Lots of marmots in the meadows around the Viso refuge.

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[Carried out as part of the 5-day Tour of Mont Viso.
For the record, we're a fairly sedentary couple who don't do a lot of sport, and we decided to do this itinerary in bivouac + self-sufficiency for 5 days].

We set off at around 10am (yes, we're not very efficient or quick when bivouacking...).

First, a long flat section in the Val Pellice, then a slightly steeper climb, still following the torrent.

A short break in front of the war memorial (with aircraft debris). This is when we realised that we were on the only path leading to the Granero refuge... but it climbs to the left (not the right) of the torrent.
Still a great view back over the Val Pellice (and the Jervis refuge in the background).

Breakfast break at the Granero refuge between 2 and 3 pm (there are a few bodies of water nearby, and a lake below).
Resume walking alongside the lake, then climb to the Col Sellière.
As we approach the pass, the path becomes steeper, we pass a number of natives and the surrounding area gradually becomes rock and scree. We're not quite used to this, our thighs are getting hotter and our 12 and 14 kg rucksacks are beginning to take their toll...
The arrival at the pass is a tricky one, where I had my first scare (unstable scree, steep dusty slope, vertiginous void on the right).
It's precisely from this point that I'm in a position to say: I think this 5-day itinerary is reserved for experienced hikers with no fear of heights or heights, and children under 10.

After the col, we descend at a decent pace towards the Mont Viso Refuge.
We stop beforehand (at around 7pm) in a ruined sheepfold to set up our bivouac.
This is our first 'wild' night, with no scout neighbours or ruminants. We take the precaution of storing the food in the tent, as marmot holes are everywhere.

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A real pleasure, lots of snow above the Granero refuge, great welcome at the Viso refuge.

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