Sortie du 14 septembre 2018

Récit publié par MichaelG sur le parcours Arpillistockaudannion: Sanetsch - Sion

Qui

MichaelG

Conditions

Foggy with limited visibility before noon, sunny afternoon.

Itinéraire

bike up from Chandolin près Savièse to Col de Sanetsch then normal route through Arpelistock to Col des Audannes, down through pas de maimbré and Anzère back to Chandolin près Savièse

Strava link: www.strava.com/activities/1841543606/

Détails

Left a car in Chandolin près Savièse just before 7:00. Start at 7:00 with sunrise with a very nice way up to Sanetsch. Maybe only one car passed me during the whole climb. It was foggy with very limited visibility. Obligatory stop with then empty Hotel du Sanetsch for a rivella - sadly, not a single 4 thousender was visible in those conditions.

I reached Sanetsch at ~10:30 and finally met a few people who were very interested in my bike that I just started carrying to go on Arêre de l'Arpille. The way up was quite pleasant, the fog started to thin out and I could finally see the magnificient Glacier and Lapis de Tsanfleuron.

After few hours (including breakes for photos) I reached Arpelistock which, sadly was totally in cloud with no view at all and quite a strong wind. Nonetheless it was a good place to drink an obligatory summit coffee and eat a lunch.

The way down to Grand Gouiiles is very picturesque, almost entirely bikeable (besides the very first part, just after Arpelistock) - in fact it is so pretty that it is almost impossible to just ride down without stopping to enjoy the view or to make some photos.

Way up to Col des Audannes took me longer than expected as the fatigue started to kick in. I loved the ladder part just before the Col des Audannes. It was actually not that difficult to climb up without quickdraws or any other people to help. The ladder is not 100% vertical so it is always possible to just lean on it to rest when needed. Still definitely not for faint-hearted or afraid of heights though.

I decided to turn in the direction of pas de Maimbré (only 80 m denivelation more) to go to Anzère instead of going to Cabane des Audannes and then though different single trails and roads found my way back to Chandolin minutes before 20:00 just at sunset.

A perfect day, perfect adventure and 10/10 route.

Evaluation du parcours