Northwest ridge

• The northwest ridge of Grand Miceau offers easy and wild climbing with fine views over the Vallon du Bens and the Basse Maurienne.*

Approach

Maurienne slope

Follow the Étaves road to its end, at the level of a footbridge over the Arpingon stream at 1445 m (parking possible if the road condition allows, otherwise lower down).
Follow the path on the left bank to reach the Chalets de Arpingon. By a path, cross to the right bank, then climb to a ledge at 2073 m. Get over a step as best you can and reach a small lake at 2233 m. head southwest for the north col of Miceau. Reach it by an east couloir.

Bréda slope

From the Baraque de Cohardin (1248 m), follow the path to the Férices refuge (1900 m).
cross toward the north (small descent) to the foot of a col at 2083 m. before the col, go up this Combe then northeast a grassy couloir that exits at 2302 m north of the Grande Moutonnière. cross the east slope at the foot of the Grande Moutonnière, then head for the north col of Miceau. Reach it by an east couloir.

Northwest ridge

Go up the ridge taking the easiest line to the west summit (2635 m). It is made up of large blocks often unstable.

Alternative

instead of reaching the ridge at the north col of Miceau, we can cross the Grande Moutonnière : the difficulty is much higher (AD minimum).

Descent

- By the approach route
- In traverse on the south slope :
- return to les Étaves by the "Passage des Vaches" (2200 m, between the Grande and the small Miceau) then Cuchet : +450m
- return to les Férices by the col de la Pierre (2400 m) : +300m
- The descent of the south ridge of the west summit is difficult.
- In traverse on the east face : cross the ridge toward the east to the central summit (2660 m), descend its east face (scree at 35° between rock bands), then reach Cuchet and les Étaves.