Crossing Vallonet - Grand Bec. Travelling home

Here was a race that was beautiful, complete, wild and just a stone's throw from home... but I'd never done it before.

The Grand Bec, although an illustrious stranger to many, is not lost on those entering the Tarentaise. From Bozel, it is a veritable vantage point overlooking the valley, giving it all its charm. It's one of those atypical silhouettes of the Massif that I have fun looking for from far away, because in fact you can see it from everywhere. Crossing the ridges from Vallonnet to Grand Bec is a masterclass in mountain scenery. Approaching the tip of Vallonnet from Plan Fournier and the Grand Bec refuge, we climb up the west face into the night. Early morning catches us as we pass the refuge, and the first rays of sunlight begin to illuminate the Portetta peaks behind us, with Lauziere, Belledonne and Etendard in the distance. The Aiguilles d'Arve and the Écrins appear as we make our way up the snowy slopes. The spectacle reaches its apotheosis once we set foot on the ridge. We go from shadow to light, and everything that was hidden by the great wall bursts into view. In front of us, the Vanoise glaciers, Grande Casse, Epena and Grande Glière. Just below us, the Champagny le haut valley, with the Glière refuge still in shadow. Below us, the Fond des Fours refuge. Higher up, behind us, Mont Pourri, and of course Bellecôte, reminding us that Tignes and Val d'Isère are just around the corner. And then there's everything that hides to the north, starting with Mont Blanc, quiet and imposing, showing us its Italian side and the impressive Peuterey ridge. The Dent du Géant also stands proudly. To the north-west, the Pierra Menta marks the gateway to the Beaufortain. We're missing a few, but the damp skies have hidden them from us...

Imagine yourself on the edge of this horizontal rocky ridge. Between two balancing steps, hold your breath and you have the panorama all to yourself. This is what we call authentic mountaineering.