Ski-mountaineering: the chourums of Dévoluy (Hautes-Alpes)

Description

What are chourums? They are a peculiarity of the Dévoluy massif (Hautes-Alpes) near Gap.

A limestone massif, the Dévoluy is rich in chasms (or chourums) dug by the combined action of wind and water. Two of them are particularly remarkable, forming tunnels in the cliffs that can be climbed in winter when they are filled with snow.
The most famous is the "Chourum Olympique" and its little sister the "Traversée Héroïque".

The Olympic Chourum:
We start off in classic fashion, with touring skis on our feet, for a gentle ascent through a beautiful valley. Then, after 1100 meters of ascent, the valley in question comes up against a huge rocky bar... But a closer look reveals a large hole in the cliff. It's time to take off the skis, put on the crampons and plunge into the chourum to climb a hundred-meter tunnel at 40/45 degrees, then 50/55 degrees at the exit, and miracle! We arrive on a wide ledge. Problem: the ledge is dominated by a new cliff... Don't panic, we will look for a hole! And off we go again, in a magnificent tunnel closed by a double arch, under which we pass to reach the snowy slopes leading to the summit of Grand Ferrand at 2758 meters. Once at the summit, we de-escalate to reach the south face (45-degree slopes at the start, then a nice easy descent). Some people also ski down the chourums, but it's very steep!
All in all, 1600 meters of vertical drop and a hike you will remember for a long time!
Level: very good skier, very good physical condition.

The Traversée Héroïque:
Easier but just as magnificent and unusual as the Chourum Olympique, the Traversée Héroïque starts in the combes of the Pic de Bure. After ascending the Corne valley on skis, we turn left to climb a steeper slope. With skis on, we head for a vertical cliff on the west face of the summit of La Corne. At the foot of the cliff, we discover a tunnel some ten meters in diameter that leads up into the cliff. With ropes and crampons on, we pass the first wall to find ourselves inside a veritable rock cathedral. What follows is a hundred-meter-high tunnel with two monumental openings at the top.
We ascend it on 35/40-degree snow slopes to emerge onto a plateau that leads to the summit of the Corne.
From here, it's easy to ski down either the Corne or Âne valley.
Total vertical drop: 600 meters.
Level: average skier.

Prices:

• 500€ for the Chourum Olympique (1 person max).
• 400€ for the Traversée Héroïque (4 people max).

I also offer other great winter outings, such as a day of ski touring in Champsaur or Dévoluy, or climbing one of the icefalls in the Champsaur valley.

Program

• Early morning departure.
• Ski touring to the foot of the chourum.
• Climb the chourum with crampons, ice axe and rope.
• Descent:
  • via the south face (de-escalade then ski) for the Chourum Olympique,
  • via the Âne or Corne valley for the Traversée Héroïque.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain guide.
• Loan of technical equipment required for the activity (harness, helmet, ice axes, crampons, rope).
• Loan of safety equipment (avalanche beacon, shovel, probe).

The price does not include

• Return transport to the meeting point in the Dévoluy massif.
• Picnic lunch.
• Snacks.
• All drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

• Share on twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Send by e-mail