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North Face Route

3A | AD | III Edit route
The north face is a more serious alpine route than the normal glacier ascent. It is a snow and ice climb whose difficulty depends strongly on conditions and season. The line is exposed to objective hazards such as avalanche risk, unstable snow, and possible ice sections. It is suitable only for experienced mountaineers comfortable with route-finding and steep alpine terrain. Because conditions vary greatly, the practical difficulty can change substantially from one season to another. It is a documented mountaineering line on the mountain, but it is not the standard ascent.

Route Outline

Approach the north side of Grande Sassière
Climb the north face snow/ice terrain
Gain the upper slopes or ridge near the summit
Reach the summit of Grande Sassière
Descend by the chosen descent line

More routes on Grande Sassiere

Normal Route (South-West / Glacier Route)

2A | PD | II
Ascent Time
4-6 h
Descent Time
3-4 h
This is the standard and best-known route to Grande Sassière. It is a classic snow-and-glacier ascent with generally moderate technical difficulty. The route is usually climbed from the south-west side and involves travel on glacier terrain, so crevasse awareness and proper glacier equipment are required. The upper mountain can be steep enough to require crampons and an ice axe, especially in firm or late-season conditions. Objective hazards include crevasses, serac or snow instability depending on conditions, and poor visibility on the glacier. It is commonly treated as a straightforward alpine climb rather than a rock route.
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