Mount Roisetta
Introduction
Second in height only to the Grand Tournalin between the peaks of the Ayas valley, "The Roisettaz" (as it is locally called) is, for hikers, a place of great interest. It is a very long walk but no major difficulties and those who reach its summit are rewarded with a first-class panarama. It is in the far north of the dividing long chain Ayas-Valtournenche and, in particular, dominates the long plateau of debris that looks like a huge balcony from which eastern edge and vertical rock walls dominate the Walloon Cortoz through which runs the access trail the Colle superiore delle Cime Bianche. The ascent route itself is unusual, enlivened by the passage near the beautiful Green Lake and well marked. The crossing of the great plateau debris is definitely an interesting experience also from the geomorphological point of view.
Description
Behind the Refuge Tournalin (see this itinerary) an obvious path marked with the number 4 forwards among the grassy slopes and rocks pointing north to the marked seat of the Col Croce. The marked trail stays on the right and performs a descent on the coast in order to graze the valley where there are small stretches of water known as Lake of the Cross and into a valley before rising up to meet and cross the stream that comes down from the watershed. You can avoid this by continuing to hold down the left and continue along the top of a fairly steeply sloping ribs over the said basin.
After the stream you are facing a steep climb on a grassy slope where the trail winds through wide hairpin turns. The comeback is a little hard and high, in sight of the hill, leaning from right to left across a less steep final stretch to the summit with some rocks, and suddenly discovering the below Green Lake and a wide view of the Matterhorn and the west side of Monte Rosa.
Now the terrain changes: we are here on the edge of the vast plateau that borders the long chain terminating in Mount Roisetta. On the left the great mass of the Grand Tournalin. The nature of the terrain becomes more rugged, the route to follow is clear and will take place, from now to the top, among rocks, debris and ribs that run down the great plateau. The signs keep the direction even in the absence of clear track: in some sections will be necessary to "jump" from one boulder to another being guided by the yellow arrows. Great attention must be paid only in case of poor visibility, to try to gaze upon the arrow next to the director not to lose the trail. The trail turns immediately to the left of the hill and coast and then continues slightly downhill. The track was prepared to do so you lose less altitude, in fact, the Green Lake is not reached, but left to the right a hundred meters below. After a start rather harsh the path becomes clearer, the soil is more compact and easier to proceed, because the debris give way to a very compact sand deposit.
Still some distance horizontally along the curvature of the plateau, a slight rise to another small plateau and suddenly we change direction. We go left and climb steeply to a kind of valley of debris which exits right onto the high ridge that descends to the valley like a little spur. Below follow a short descent and a semicircle to overcome another little spur, then a descent living in a valley that ends littered with boulders the passing of which requires to give attention to the signs and sure-footed (best to try first the stability of stones). After this part a new ascent leads to another broad shelf that is a bit as the "second floor" of the great terrace that descends on the Valley of Cortoz. From here the summit of Roisetta finally appears closer and the yellow signs are now aiming directly at it again winding between rocks and features more smooth and safe. Once in the vicinity of the summit pyramid, the signals bend sharply to the left and a last steep ascent lead up to touch the watershed ridge near a slight depression. Here we discover the opposite side, having left the South Top of Roisetta surmounted by a cross and right the top North, the highest, to which we will start walking on rough and stony soil of a ridge rounded slightly to the side of Valtournenche. A few meters further on, the road seems to be blocked by a large rump. The path descends on the left side, past a few rocks and slipping into a groove that, going back briefly to the right, leads near a notch again on the main ridge. Be careful, especially when there is snow. Continue without any particular other difficulty to the top North (d. 3334), quite spacious, and from which there is an immense circular panorama.
The return traces the same route. And it is possible to make a variant, descending to the shores of Green Lake and up the Col of the Cross out of debris but with no difficulty whatsoever. This variant is not reported but is intuitive and each time the walker chooses the path on which best it is best accomplished.
Autore
- Consulta tutte le relazioni di escursionismo di Giovanni Consigli
- Consulta la pagina di Giovanni Consigli
Bibliografia
- Marco Soggetto: Le vette della Val d'Ayas L'Escursionista Editore, 2008
Cartografia
- 8 - Monte Rosa Alte valli d'Ayas e del Lys, 1:25.000, L'Escursionista Editore, 2009
Galleria fotografica
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