This weekend finally I gathered the courage to tackle one of the challenging portions of Haute Route over Pas de Chevres (formerly Col de Riedmatten). There used to be a long 50 foot or so ladder to cross this pass, and now next year they split it into 3 and angled it well to make this easier. So here we go.
This can be done as a day hike from Barrage de la Dixence to Arollo. We arrived at the Barrage by bus from Gare de Sion (requires additional 5 CHF supplement over GA) and started the hike around 9:45. There is a cable car that one can take from Barrage to top of the Dam (for 7 CHF), saves about 20 min. We decided against it and walked up to the dam. At the top turned towards the lake. Then there is a long stretch of flat walking along the lake, made exciting initially by many tunnels. After crossing the tunnels, you soon reach La Barma where hike from Cabana de Prafleuri meets. It takes about 1hr to get here. From here the trail is a bit boring till you reach end of the lake. Ours was made somewhat interesting by few cows with horns who seemed somewhat aggressive. Towards end of the lake a surprise view of glacier awaits, and after that the real hike begins from Pas du Chat. The train now climbs steeply. This is common route for Col de Reidmatten and Cabana Dix. After some nice climb and a short glacier moraine you reach junction of Cabana Dix and Col de Riedmatten trails.
We follow Col de Riedmatten (which also leads to Pas de Chevres). Now the trail goes down a bit till you reach a flat which is end of the glacier. There is a small glacier lake here. This was good place to sit down and each lunch. So far the trail has been steep, but easy terrain, fun will begin soon. From here first there are some rocky sections to cross which do not present much difficulty. But soon we are on a steep scramble through loose rocks and scree. In this part there are some red signs, but you pretty much have to climb on all fours like a lizard and make sure you have good footing. Thankfully this section is not too long and then you reach the fork of Col de Riedmatten and Pas de Chevres. Riedmatten was looking quite doable from here, especially after the scramble we just did. But we headed over to the ladders of Chevres as planned. The way to ladders is flatter and secured with chains which were not really needed at this time. The ladders are surprisingly easy now. We did a little celebration and a snack on top. The tough part was over, and I it was not that scary. From here down to Arolla is easy gentle downhill. We were met with some surprise rain though and I was happy it did not hit us close to the pass. We stayed at a small dormitorio in Arolla.
This can be done as a day hike from Barrage de la Dixence to Arollo. We arrived at the Barrage by bus from Gare de Sion (requires additional 5 CHF supplement over GA) and started the hike around 9:45. There is a cable car that one can take from Barrage to top of the Dam (for 7 CHF), saves about 20 min. We decided against it and walked up to the dam. At the top turned towards the lake. Then there is a long stretch of flat walking along the lake, made exciting initially by many tunnels. After crossing the tunnels, you soon reach La Barma where hike from Cabana de Prafleuri meets. It takes about 1hr to get here. From here the trail is a bit boring till you reach end of the lake. Ours was made somewhat interesting by few cows with horns who seemed somewhat aggressive. Towards end of the lake a surprise view of glacier awaits, and after that the real hike begins from Pas du Chat. The train now climbs steeply. This is common route for Col de Reidmatten and Cabana Dix. After some nice climb and a short glacier moraine you reach junction of Cabana Dix and Col de Riedmatten trails.
We follow Col de Riedmatten (which also leads to Pas de Chevres). Now the trail goes down a bit till you reach a flat which is end of the glacier. There is a small glacier lake here. This was good place to sit down and each lunch. So far the trail has been steep, but easy terrain, fun will begin soon. From here first there are some rocky sections to cross which do not present much difficulty. But soon we are on a steep scramble through loose rocks and scree. In this part there are some red signs, but you pretty much have to climb on all fours like a lizard and make sure you have good footing. Thankfully this section is not too long and then you reach the fork of Col de Riedmatten and Pas de Chevres. Riedmatten was looking quite doable from here, especially after the scramble we just did. But we headed over to the ladders of Chevres as planned. The way to ladders is flatter and secured with chains which were not really needed at this time. The ladders are surprisingly easy now. We did a little celebration and a snack on top. The tough part was over, and I it was not that scary. From here down to Arolla is easy gentle downhill. We were met with some surprise rain though and I was happy it did not hit us close to the pass. We stayed at a small dormitorio in Arolla.
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