Haut de Cry
2,969 m
Switzerland
Also known as ო-დე-კრიAlso known as
ო-დე-კრი
- Elevation
- 2,969 m
- Prominence
- 515 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jun–Jul
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: II+ (Camptocamp (brèche inattendue))
The easiest way up the Haut de Cry, but long and loose: 1,730 m of ascent from L'Airette above Ardon, by a steep forest path to the Einzon alp and the Itre du Bouis ruin, then unmarked scree and a 40° slope to the summit ridge, finishing across a short, exposed II+ notch, the 'brèche inattendue'.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 5.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,776 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,969 m
- Time Up
- 6h 37m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 16m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From L'Airette (1,239 m), a few parking spaces at a bend in the old forest road from Ardon towards Derborence, the path climbs steeply through forest in dozens of numbered hairpins to the ruins of the Grenier d'Einzon (1,621 m), then contours gently to the Chalet d'Einzon (1,668 m, a summer alp). A steep path continues through pasture and larches to the Itre du Bouis (1,996 m), a former alp building. Official waymarking ends here. Above, the trace is faint and cairns are rare. Climb left onto a grassy shoulder past point 2392, cross a small band of slaty slabs diagonally to the right (T4) and reach the huge scree field below the north-east face, where old snow lingers late. Traverse up and right across it, then climb straight up the slope, steepening to about 40° at the top, to the summit ridge that links the east, central and west summits, emerging roughly between the central and the west (main) summit. Follow the easy but loose ridge west to the top. The last few metres are guarded by a notch invisible until you reach it, the 'brèche inattendue': a short, slightly exposed move of II to II+ on poor rock. Descend the same way. Early summer, when snow still fills the upper scree, makes for an easier ascent and a fast descent; later the north-east side is mostly loose rubble and very tiring, and water is scarce. A trip report from 2013 took 7 hours for the round trip at a brisk pace; another GPS-recorded outing logged about 6¾ hours of walking plus breaks.
Start
L'Airette1,189 m
- Train or bus to Ardon; on foot via Montau to L'Airette adds roughly 300 m of ascent
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L'Airette → Haut de Cry | 5.6 | 1,776 | 0 | 6h 37m |
Waypoints
- Parking: L'Airette1,189 m
Rough narrow forest road from Montau; status for private cars unclear (see notes)
- Feature: Les Greniers d'Einzon1,624 m
- Waypoint: Itre du Bouis2,000 m
End of waymarked path
- Summit: Haut de Cry2,969 m
Key Passages
- Steep hairpin path through the forest to the Greniers d'Einzon
- Band of slaty slabs above point 2392 (T4)
- 40° slope to the summit ridge (often snow until early summer)
- Brèche inattendue (II+, short, exposed, poor rock)
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 65%Overview
A wild, three-topped limestone and shale massif (2,969 m) that towers 2,500 m above the Rhône vineyards of Ardon and Chamoson. Its easiest route is a long, loose T4 scramble from the Derborence side with a short II+ notch below the summit.
The Haut de Cry rises on the right bank of the Rhône between Martigny and Sion, in the Muveran group of the Vaud Alps (the south-western end of the Bernese Alps), although it lies entirely in Valais. Its huge south face, rocky above and wooded below about 1,700 m, dominates the villages of Chamoson, Ardon, Vétroz and Ovronnaz. The main ridge carries three summits separated by deep notches: the west or main summit (2,969 m), a central point of about 2,950 m and the east summit (2,952 m). A ridge runs north-east to the Mont à Perron and Mont à Cavouère.
The mountain sees few visitors. All routes are long, the rock is poor and the north-east side, used by the easiest route, is mostly scree once the snow has gone. The name is thought to come from 'cray', an old word for stone, which suits it well. The rewards are solitude, ibex and chamois, and a view down to the Rhône and across to the Valais 4,000ers.
The usual approach is from L'Airette, on the old road from Ardon towards Derborence, via the Einzon alp. Alternatives come from the Col de la Forcla (between Ovronnaz and the Cabane Rambert) and along the exposed east ridge from the Col du Petit Renard.
Climbing Notes
Expect a long day: about 1,730–1,950 m of ascent from L'Airette and 7–8 hours for the round trip. Steep forest and alp paths give way to unmarked scree, a band of slates (T4), a 40° slope that often holds snow into summer and a loose summit ridge with a short exposed II+ move. Good fitness, route-finding, sure-footedness on loose ground and a head for heights are needed; a helmet is worthwhile.
Early summer (June to early July) is the best time: snow in the upper combe makes the climb easier and the descent quicker, though an ice axe is then useful. Later in the season the route becomes a tiring scree slog and water is scarce, so carry plenty. Start early, as the route faces east and warms quickly. In winter the area is a wildlife tranquillity zone, and only signposted ski routes are permitted.
Check the state of the access road before driving: it is narrow and exposed, early in the season it can be blocked by avalanche debris at Comba Neire, and at least one source says it is officially closed to traffic above Montau.
History
On 28 February 1864 an attempt at the first winter ascent by the east ridge ended in disaster: Philip Gosset, Louis Boissonnet, the renowned guide Johann Joseph Bennen (first ascensionist of the Weisshorn) and three local men triggered a large slab avalanche while crossing a broad snow slope at midday. Boissonnet and Bennen were killed; Gosset, buried with only his hands showing, was dug out by a companion. His account in the Alpine Journal became one of the classic early descriptions of avalanche danger.
Season
Best Jun–Jul- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Good
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; wildlife tranquillity zone, only signposted ski routes allowed
- Feb
- Winter; high avalanche danger on the east-facing slopes
- Mar
- Spring ski ascent only for experienced ski-mountaineers in stable snow; difficult access
- Apr
- Spring ski tour possible when the road is clear; start very early
- May
- Much snow on the upper slopes; access road may still be blocked at Comba Neire
- Jun
- Best: snow in the upper combe eases ascent and descent; ice axe useful
- Jul
- Good, early July especially; carry plenty of water
- Aug
- Loose scree, tiring; little water
- Sep
- Dry, loose; stable weather
- Oct
- Possible until the first snow; short days
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Winter wildlife tranquillity zone: only the ski routes shown on the 'Respecter c'est protéger' maps are permitted
- The forest road above Montau to L'Airette is narrow and exposed; one source states it is officially closed to traffic
- Getting There
Ardon (Sion)
Sion (SIR) for limited flights; Geneva (GVA) for international flights
- Train or bus to Ardon, then by the old Derborence road via Montau (about 910 m) to L'Airette (1,239 m)
- By car: from Ardon on the old Derborence road; paved to Montau, then a rough single-track forest road with very few passing places and 4–5 parking spaces at L'Airette
- For the Col de la Forcla route: bus from Leytron to Ovronnaz, or by car towards Loutze/Chamosentse
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Avalanche
- Weather