Mont de Grange - Mattes - E Face and N Corridor

From the chapel of Tré les Pierres (1160m), go left on the steep 4×4 road which climbs to Sur le Crac (1460m). Go up the plateau leaving the Ertre chalets on the right and head towards the E face of Grange. Towards the 1660m point, fork on the left (W) to reach the Coicon chalets (1849m). Continue towards the W in the bottom of the scoop to reach the Coicon ridge slightly before the middle steep pitch (2100m). Then follow the ridge towards the N to reach the double summit marked by a iron cross and radio antenna.

Descent: from the summit, take (towards the E) a broad rather steep slope immediately on the left (S4). Go very slightly towards the left (NE) to pass the Chemine notch (~2350m). Avoid the bars on the left (S4) to reach clearer slopes then pass a semi-ridge in the direction of Mattes (S3) to traverse towards notch O (1966m) of Pointe des Mattes. Note: more direct sections between the bars of the E face are possible but are more difficult to locate going down. Therefore the E face must be carefully observed when ascending towards the Coicon chalets.

From the Mattes notch go into the Mattes N corridor (S3/S4) then traverse on the right under the N face to find a not too bad section between the alders. You reach the base of the dale of the Louennaz. At point 1310m, you can either take the right or left bank of the dale to reach the old site of the Sur Bayard chalet (1220m) now destroyed. Large cleared slopes make it possible then to reach, by going left towards the bottom, the last houses of the hamlet of the Moulin (1020m) intersection of the cross-country ski track).

Completing the E face of Grange and N corridor of Mattes offers an unrelenting descent over a consequent HD.

The E face is in S4: approximately 40°/300m, max 45°, average to strong exposure (some bars on the right). Subject to avalanches. 4.2/E2 or D/S4. The N corridor of Mattes is easier: 38°/100m, slightly steeper at the top out depending on if there is a cornice. Weak exposure. 3.2/E1 or AD/S4.

The upper part of the descent (E face) is quickly exposed to the sun and therefore transforms very quickly. In March the optimum descent time often is around 10..

The N corridor of Mattes gets more shade.

Access: Start from Tré les Pierres : from Thonon or Morgins, go to Chatel and continue to the SW towards the Linga ski lifts that you pass (towards Pré la Joux) to reach the hamlet of Tré les Pierres located at a narrowing of the valley. Take the road on the right and park near the chapel.

Coming from Moulin: go to the hamlet of Ville du Nant located on the road between Chapelle d’Abondance and Chatel, slightly to the E from the start of the Pantiaz cabin lift.

These two hamlets are served by bus lines intended for the ski resorts. For information contact the Office du Tourisme de Chatel : tel. 04.50.73.22.44