Ice climbing: Cascade Gialorgues

We climbed the left ice fall (Cascade) of Gialorgues but the conditions were far from good: the ice fall is not well formed, rather thin and fragile with running water underneath. The temperature of -7 degrees was too warm too. There was a lot of soft snow from the river to the bottom of the ice fall, up to the knee even with the snow shoes.

Philippe, left ice fal (cascade) of Gialorgues (© A. Gatta)

Ice fall: graded II+/4, 100m, 3 pitches: 1st pitch: 80-85°, the two other pitches are easier but were not in condition today.

left ice fall (Cascade) of Gialorgues (© P. Gatta)

Access to the ice fall: 2 km, ascent: 200m. park at St Dalmas le Selvage (1496 m) and go toward the Vallon of Gialorgues, pass the signpost 66 and continue on the good trail to the West. After 20-30 minutes the left ice fall of Gialorgues is visible on the other side. Descend to the river and go straight up to the ice fall, another 20-40 minutes depending on the snow conditions.

Left ice fall (Cascade) of Gialorgues (© A. Gatta)

Anna walking to the ice fall in the deep snow (© P. Gatta)