NIKEAYASTOUR 2023🔴🔴 STOP: MANDROU (1849mt)-BEC De NANAZ (3010mt) -NANAZ GLUE (2775mt)-GRAND TOURNALIN REFUGE (2600mt)

 

NIKEAYASTOUR 2023

STOP: MANDROU (1849mt)-BEC De NANAZ (3010mt) -NANAZ GLUE (2775mt)-GRAND TOURNALIN REFUGE (2600mt) -Loc. La TCHAVANNA -return to the valley (7:30- with variations-very difficult and tiring route).

Large professional ring over 25km in height between peaks and ascents at three thousand meters to test our limits.

The hiking route takes place on the rocks of the N ridge that leads to Col de Nanaz (2775mt), an important communication valley between the Tournenche and Ayas Valleys, today part of the Alta Via della Valle d’Aosta through which you can descend to Champoluc.

We have enriched and made the route with the variants that descend from Becca di Nanaz to the namesake Colle and from there to Refugio Tournaline, with another tiring climb up to the Colle before the long final path back to the Alta Valle.

Departure from the Mandrou town plan where the path begins by following the path 3/3a which leaves where indicated from the poles next to the church.

The path (3/3A) leaves the habitat, goes over a voting pillar and reaches Ca' Zena, with a large anchor and the silhouette of the Genoa lantern at the entrance.

We cross the road and continue on the steep that leads to the Alpe Mezzan (or Metsan). The last part of the trail before the camping trip is between two fences bordering the pastures.

Arrived at the camping site, which is also a typical product store, ice cream, restaurant and agriturism ("La Tchavana"), we go through the picnic area and continue to the Sarteur Chapel (or Notre Dame des Montagnards) on the path no. 3, doing an uphill cross.

Passing to the left of the chapel you leave the Vascoccia Alps on the right and you reach the dirt road corresponding to a sign indicating the Trail of the Alpine and the current altitude (2280 m. ). Follow the direction to the left and arrive in front of the Alps Pian Pera. The path is 3A (3 leads to Colle Vascoccia).

Passed the Alpe Pian pera we stay on trail no. 3A; a spring is found shortly after. On a mass there’s the written “last water”: it’s true, you can’t find another on the way. Then we proceed on the path to the right of the spring.

The path goes through a basin, then begins to go up crossing the slope and always remains clearly visible

The inclination is not excessive but challenging and it remains constant and requires a minimum of resistance and above all training.

Shortly after, already over 2800 altitude, the path no longer goes through comfortable meadows but through a fine and insidious stone. Unsuitable shoes can struggle to do well grip on this terrain, you need to pay a lot of attention with every step because the path is always more tempting and is inclined sideways, towards a rather steep slope. We arrive at 2900 meters, the path revolves around the mountain in clock.

At this point the most is done. After almost three hours of narrow climb The route reaches the rounded peak of Becca de Nanaz (3010m) easily accessible with the slightly tallest Becca Trecare, which faces the Val d'Ayas, offering a stunning sight.

On the right, the metal cross with lightning and the small altar placed at the top begins to emerge from the rock. One more effort and the summit is conquered.

The small altar contains an Alpine hat, a prayer dedicated to eighteen Alpines who died in an accident in 1954 and a reduced copy of the Domenica del Corriere cover that reminds the fact.

Every 14th of August a Holy Mass is celebrated on this altar.

The descent is very dangerous (not recommended for inexperienced and impromptu people) and the variants (descent to the Colle, Tournaline ring, exit to the Colle is a very long stretch for Mandrou) better not to add them to the already long and tiring route.

Thirty breathtaking images from landscape beauty, nature and alpine uniqueness.

Thanks to the great professionalism and affection for Jacopo and Rosanna, my loyal travel companions. A hug and a special mention to our new Parisian friend, Jerome, who accompanied us from the top of the Bec de Nanaz for all the devastating variants that ended the hike.

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#Culture at the service of the territory.

To the max always!

Massimo Ruggero

President of the metro Club per l’UNESCO di Genova Città