Overview
Geographical classification: Western Alps >
High Dauphiné Alps > Soreiller group
Le Plaret is the second summit in Soreiller group but is the most central.
Le Plaret is an irregular pyramid with three different sides: Soreiller side -SW- , Selle side -N-, Etançons side-E-.
The three ridges are connected to La Gandolière, To Pic Gény and to Aiguilles du Soreiller.
The normal route is a trip in wild territories. Even if there is no climbing difficulty, This long ascend can be done in the same way as 19th century ascents. Henry Cordier, the great and young climber is dead when descending from Le Plaret.
The 500hm north side is partially covered with La Selle Glacier. On the eastern side is Le Plaret Glacier wich is going to disappear years after years.
Getting There
by car (highly recommended)
Grenoble >> Bourg d'Oisans >> Saint Christophe >> Les Etages >> Soreiller or La bérarde
Grenoble >> Bourg d'Oisans >> Saint Christophe >> Les Etages >> La bérarde >> Vallon des Etançons or Chatelleret hut
Grenoble >> Bourg d'Oisans >> Saint Christophe >> Vallon de la Selle
For those coming from oversea :
Fly to Lyon international airport. Car (recommended) or train to Grenoble, followed by bus to Bourg d'Oisans and smaller bus up the narrow road to Saint Christophe en Oisans and La Bérarde (3 per day in July/Aug Grenoble to La Bérarde) . Car highly recommended.
Red Tape
No Red Tape except Ecrins National Park rules (no dog, no camping, only bivouak allowed, no fire, no MTB, no destruction of wilderness)
Refer to
Ecrins National park rules.
Routes overview
normal route: F+
Long route from La Bérarde or from Chatelleret hut
La Bérarde to the place where the trail leaves Chatelleret hut trail : 1h
Etançons to Plaret Glacier: 2h30
Plaret Glacier to summit on the east face: 2h
NE ridge: PD
Long route from La Bérarde or from Chatelleret hut
La Bérarde to the place where the trail leaves Chatelleret hut trail : 1h
Etançons to Plaret Glacier: 2h30
Plaret Glacier to summit on the NE ridge: 2h
SW side, Reynier route: PD
Soreiller hut to summit 3h
SW side, Chèze route: AD
Soreiller hut to summit 4h
S ridge: PD
Soreiller hut to Plaret N pass 1h30
Plaret N pass to summit 1h
N face route : TD, 2h approach + 7h climbing.
Access from La selle hut
When To Climb
Summer period is the prefered period for mountaineering.
Rock climbing is possible early or late (october) in the season, depending of the weather.
Better to wait the rocks to be dry for the N face.
Camping
CAMPING LES FETOULES
38520 ST-CHRISTOPHE-EN-OISANS
Tél : 04 76 80 23 99
Fax : 04 76 95 47 97
Email : rafting.veneon@wanadoo.fr
Site internet: www.rafting-veneon.com
CAMPING MUNICIPAL DE LA BERARDE
La Bérarde 38520 ST-CHRISTOPHE-EN-OISANS
Tél : 04 76 79 20 45
Fax : 04 7679 06 97
Email :
Site internet: www.berarde.com
huts
Châtelleret hut CAF 2232 m
Access : Saint Christophe en Oisans >>La Bérarde >> Chatelleret valley.
Activities : mountaineering - Rock climbing- Hiking- Ski mountaineering
- Mountaineering routes and summits : Pic nord des Cavales- Gandolière- Râteau- Pic Geny- Têtes N et S du Replat
- High routes : To la Selle hut, l’Alpe de Villar d'Arène, La Grave via Brêche de la Meije
- Ski routes: Brêche de la Meije - col de la Casse Déserte - col du Replat
The hut is guarded some months and weekends:
Spring: usually in April and begining of May
Summer: middle of June to Middle of September
Reservation is mandatory, please contact Gérard Turc:
adress: 5 chemin de la Buissonière - 38860 Les Deux Alpes
phone number : 04.76.80.03.86
Hut phone number: 04.76.79.08.27
Beds in summer: 70 +20 beds under tent
In winter : 62
The hut belongs to CAF ISERE : 32 avenue Félix Viallet 38000 GRENOBLE
Tél : 04.76.87.03.73
Fax : 04.76.85.26.77
Chatelleret hut route on Oisans.com
La Selle hut STD
La selle hut on montagne-virtuel.com
Soreiller hut STD 2720 m
Soreillerhut route on Oisans.com
Mountain Conditions
Briançon meteo forecast 7 days
Bourg d'Oisans meteo forecast 7 days
Grenoble meteo forecast 7 days
Books and maps
Guide du Haut Dauphiné, tome 1, ISBN 2 909 907 15 5.
Authors: GHM and François Labande
Editions de l'Envol
IGN Maps : 3336ET and 3436ET