Les Bans

Hill Stations Tours >> Peak & Glaciers • Les Bans

Noble rock and ice barrier at the southern limits of the Dauphine Alps. From Pilatte refuge ascend Pilatte glacier to the col de Bans (3 hours); serious glacier work. Traverse the airy ridge scaling two difficult gendarmes (11+). Finally a 300 m rock climb/scramble to summit (2-3 hours).

This is a magnificent mountain with fantastic rock and ice architecture demanding glacier skills and rock climbing technique. Views of Le Sirac (SW), of L'Ailefroide, Mt.Pelvoux, La Meije, Barre des Ecrins all superb.