GUNUNG · Swiss

Grand Combin

Information

Elevation: 4.314 m
Country: Swiss (CH)
Location / Range: Pegunungan Alpen — Alpen Pennine bagian barat (Valais)
Mountain type: Puncak batu & es alpine bergletser (non-vulkanik, orogenik)
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 45.9375, 7.2992
Difficulty: Sangat berat (mountaineering alpine bergletser berat; jalur normal terekspos runtuhan serac)
Best Season: Akhir Juni–awal September (musim panas alpine)
Permits & Rules: Tidak ada izin puncak formal; reservasi Cabane de Valsorey atau Cabane de Panossière dianjurkan, begitu pula memakai pemandu bersertifikat karena bahaya objektif tinggi
Hazards: Runtuhan serac di lintasan 'Corridor' pada jalur normal, celah gletser (crevasse), jatuhan batu, badai petir, dan ketinggian (AMS)

Description

The Grand Combin (main summit Grand Combin de Grafeneire, 4,314 m) is a large glaciated massif in the western Pennine Alps of Valais, Switzerland, south of Verbier and near Bourg-Saint-Pierre. The massif carries several summits above 4,000 m, including the Combin de Valsorey (4,184 m) and the Combin de la Tsessette (4,141 m). The Grafeneire summit was first reached in 1859. The Grand Combin is renowned not only for its height and extensive glaciers but also because its normal route crosses the 'Corridor' — a passage exposed to serac fall that is often cited as one of the most dangerous normal routes among the Alpine 4,000ers. Climbing it demands full glacier skills, a pre-dawn start, and careful judgment of ice conditions.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Arête du Meitin (traverse puncak)

AD/D ; punggungan campuran batu & es, lebih teknis namun kurang terpapar serac

2 hari (bermalam di Cabane de Valsorey)

A ridge route from the Valsorey side linking the Combin de Valsorey (4,184 m) and Grafeneire via the Arête du Meitin. It is more technical with mixed rock and ice, but avoids much of the 'Corridor' serac exposure of the normal route.

Source

Voie normale via le Corridor (Cabane de Valsorey/Panossière)

AD ; pendakian gletser dengan bahaya objektif serac tinggi

2 hari (bermalam di refuge)

The normal route to the Grafeneire summit (4,314 m). From Bourg-Saint-Pierre or Fionnay, climb up to the Cabane de Valsorey or Cabane de Panossière, then summit before dawn across glaciers and the serac-exposed 'Corridor' passage. Speed and timing are critical to minimize exposure to ice hazard.

Route Segments

1

Bourg-Saint-Pierre → Cabane de Valsorey

3.030 mdpl

Pendakian menuju refuge di kaki jalur
2

Refuge → Le Corridor

4.000 mdpl

Lintasan gletser terpapar runtuhan serac; lewati secepat mungkin
3

Corridor → Grafeneire (puncak)

4.314 mdpl

Kubah gletser puncak menuju titik tertinggi

Source

Climbing Experiences

Climbing the Grand Combin (4,314 m) usually takes 2 days from Bourg-Saint-Pierre or Fionnay: up to the Cabane de Valsorey or Cabane de Panossière, then a pre-dawn summit across broad glaciers. The normal route crosses the serac-exposed 'Corridor', demanding a very early start and quick movement. Some climbers prefer the more ridge-like Arête du Meitin. Climbers stress the high objective ice hazard, full glacier skills, and careful judgment of conditions.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.