An excellent new refuge in an excellent location
Refuge du Clot des Vaches opened January 2025 and is situated within the Lauzet Pont de l’Alpe sector beneath the Col de l’Aiguillette, Col du Chardonnet and the Crête & Lac de la Ponsonnièr.
After I initially learn {that a} new Refuge was being constructed up from Pont de l’Alpe, I, like others, instantly thought that it might be within the Summer season Village of L’ Alpe de Lauzet slightly below the beginning of the Through Ferrata de l’aiguillette du Lauzet.
And after I lately went on a ski tour with a pal new to ski touring and an teacher/information, I do know he, too, thought that it might be there!
It was solely after we had climbed additional up from the Village that it got here into view (picture above), and by then, the information had dedicated to taking my pal to the Col de l’Aiguillette while I and a mate would climb up in direction of the Crête du Chardonnet.
So I made a decision {that a} return go to could be vital and perhaps only a fast climb up there with Ullr when perhaps the climate was not nice to research extra as to what the Refuge supplied when it comes to lodging.
The precise location is in a highly regarded sector, each within the Winter and Summer season and is accessible each by ski-touring and snowshoes within the Winter and mountaineering within the Summer season.
It’s roughly a 7.5km return journey from the parking space at Pont de l’Alpe, although in busier durations, you might need to park additional away from the precise begin.
By way of climbing, it is 500m in elevation with some steep pitches, although you may take a neater line.
In case you’re match and powerful, then there are extra direct routes, and as ever, it would very a lot depend upon the situations you encounter, be it deep snow or boilerplate snow and ice.
After I went up there on skis (climbing with skins below the skis/ski-touring) the snowpack was very icy, and actually we should always have used crampons as there are a sequence of awkward traverses that it’s a must to take, and if you’re new to ski-touring you would possibly discover the method to the Refuge fairly difficult.
And chances are you’ll nicely need to take your skis off decrease down on the principle path because it turns into fairly naked because the snow melts.
In case you’re on snow-shoes then you may take a extra direct route as dropping some elevation as you do down is healthier than traversing, and we did see individuals utilizing mountaineering boots and spikes because the snow was so arduous, although the extra astute had been carrying snow-shoes on their packs because the snow in Spring can shortly soften and therefore snow-shoes would then be the most suitable choice.
Within the Summer season, it is extra of a simple hike, and there are lots of indicators and data panels you should utilize that can assist you uncover the fauna and flora alongside the route, together with the historical past of the Chardonnet mines and the native heritage.
Zian, a personality on the panels representing a high-mountain information, will accompany younger and previous alike that can assist you uncover the realm, with video games to check their information of the mountain setting.
As for timings, if ski-touring, you are taking a look at anyplace from 90 minutes should you’re averagely quick by way of to over two hours, and if visibility is suspect, then my recommendation could be to remain near the rock face and torrent/stream, which is the blue-dashed line on the map above.
As for snow-shoes/mountaineering timings will very a lot depend upon health and talent, however should you depart at 09:00 I am certain you may get to the Refuge in time for lunch 🙂
The primary time I went up there, we noticed loads of households mountaineering up there, however the climate was good, nevertheless, if studying this and you might be new to the mountains, then please seek the advice of the forecasts & avalanche bulletins and don’t enterprise up there if the visibility/climate is unhealthy, even within the Summer season, and within the Winter it goes with out saying that you have to be much more conscious of the situations.
And simply to place the above into perspective, very near the Refuge is this straightforward cross and plaque which honours 5 males from the village of Le Lauzet who had been killed in an avalanche when mountaineering on snowshoes to the carbon mines above the Col du Chardonnet; the small Chapel within the Summer season village can be devoted to them.
For these that could be unaware, Refuges have their very own etiquette and a sequence of practices, which have extra to do with their location and being “off-grid”, because it had been.
First off, on getting into the Refuge, you enter the boot room the place it’s essential to take off your sneakers and don the compulsory Crocs.
And on getting into the Refuge, you will notice the excellent timber flooring.
Refuges at this altitude and sort of location primarily cater for teams of buddies quite than {couples}, so the bedrooms are of a sure variety, specifically dormitory-style rooms, so do not count on a comfortable double bed room.
I believe that there have been three or 4 dorms of 5 beds and one among 9.
At present, they’re experiencing just a few new construct glitches with water, so showering services are restricted, however once more, you don’t go to a Refuge anticipating the likes of WiFi and different regular luxuries, and remember the cell information sign is nigh on non-existent, so if staying in a single day make individuals conscious of that.
That stated, atop the Chardonnet ridge overlooking the Refuge, the sign was glorious 🙂
One factor Refugees are famend for is their meals, which is simply what the Physician would order after a trek to get there, and taking into consideration most have carried out a considerable quantity of train to get there, so they should replenish the calorie depend.
I had a very excellent omelette together with some nice bread, with Estelle the Guardian telling me the place I may purchase the bread in Briancon.
The great thing about a Refuge is the placement, particularly at evening, with hopefully clear skies above you and 0 gentle air pollution. remember that the electrical energy is perhaps restricted after 22:00, so if staying, convey head torches and energy packs, and so on.
That is the terrace with a view of the routes to the Col de l’Aiguillette and Col du Chardonnet.
The video beneath is the road right down to the Refuge from the ridge you may see within the above image after we had been up there every week in the past and nonetheless managed to seek out some good chilly snow.
And as for canines, the Refuge welcomes canines however solely outdoors 🙂
Couple of Strava routeshttps://www.strava.com/actions/13712660737
https://www.strava.com/actions/13642586488
To contact the Refuge: 06 66 69 11 73
contact@refugeclotdesvaches.com
And may add that they have a extremely good webcam there to have a look at the situations.
