A classic steep couloir, a must for any steep skier, but a serious undertaking. Warning in 2023 a rock fall altered the nature of this line, this description is from before the rock fall. It has been skied since and there is now large chock stone in the couloir that was abseiled off. I am not sure how this effects the option to climb it first, or if it now can only be skied from the top. 

Description (skied from the top)

In spring it is possible to drive to the parking for the Pelvoux refuge just outside Ailefroide. In winter you have to skin up from Pelvoux village where the road is shut (a long way), or it is possible to access it from a ski line off La Blanche. 

From the spring parking head up the Celse Niere torrent (the valley floor) towards the Séle refuge, at 1572m turn left and cross the river via a small bridge. Now make your way in to the Vallon de Clapouse. Ascend this valley almost to the top, then turn right and climb a steep slope towards the point de Cease Niere. Don’t go to the top but turn right up a steep short slope to a small col.

Descent 

There is fixed gear at the top skiers left which allows you to abseil in (this is normal for most snow years). After the first abseil (50m) the route normally gets a bit wider,  still only ski length. There are some options for a second abseil or you can ski/slide/slip it. You pass a large boulder on skiers right and from this point it opens up and the skiing really starts. The author hasn’t done it since the rock fall so cant say where the new chock stone and abseil is so take care.

As you leave the couloir, you ski down towards the river (normally covered in snow), its worth scouting as you go down to find the best place to cross. The aim is to cross it and pick up the summer path on the other side which takes you back to the parking.

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