Dents Blanches Occidentales : Normal route from Allamands

Ascent

From the bridge Pied du Crêt (889m), follow the road until the parking lot above the hamlet of Allamands (1096m). Then take a road to the right in the forest which climbs NE to the Bossetan chalets (~1600m). Go to Tornay refuge (1763m) and continue in the Bossetan scoop to reach the Bossetan pass (2290m) or, more directly, the foot of the N ridge of Pointe de la Golette.

Pass a rock band and traverse towards the E on the Swiss side to reach the higher scoop giving accesses via broad slopes N to the final corridor (S4 over 150m) which faces to the W. Go up the corridor or the SW ridge bordering it and emerge at the summit of Dents Blanches Occidentales (2709m).

Descent

By the same route.

Variant

From Allamands, one follow the road until the Golèse refuge (1671m) and reach Bossetan pass either passing via the Tornay refuge, or by following the normal route of Tête de Bossetan (2406m) via the slopes of Avouille. In the latter case, be careful traversing of the last S slopes under the Tête des Verdets (small rock barriers).

• The 1615m HD is given for a direct course from the scoop of Bossetan at the start of the higher Allamands parking lot (1096m). In the event of strong snow cover you may have to stop at Pied du Crêt, which adds 200m HD. The section via the summit of Tête de Bossetan adds approximately 100 to 150m.
• The final slope is a small 40° over 120 m, little exposed. Section in overhanging walls on the shoulder dominating the Bossetan pass, average slope but frequent icy snow and significant exposure in this place.
• The course of Bossetan scoop is protected by the cliffs of the Dents d'Oddaz and thus remains in the shade a long time. Similarly the final corridor gets the sun rather late. The route is therefore possible late in season even if the low starting altitude is likely to require a some travel in the forest.

Ice climbing tool and/or crampons to reach the summit. Claws are often useful above the Bossetan pass for hard snow.