Overview
Grade: D/E
Total time: 2 hrs
Climbing time: 1 hour
Approach time: 10 mins
Exit time: 20 mins
Length: 200m
Total elevation: 80m
Altitude: 1,507m
Tackling "La Fraiche" waterfall, graded D/E, is a formidable ice climbing challenge. The ascent begins at the base of the frozen cascade, where the roar of water can sometimes be heard beneath brittle, sculpted ice. This grade implies sustained technical difficulty, often demanding precise placements of ice tools and careful screw protection. Climbers might face thin, chandeliered ice, overhangs, or sections where the ice thins considerably, testing nerve and skill. The exposure is constant, and the cold biting, but the reward is the breathtaking panorama from the top and the immense satisfaction of overcoming such a natural barrier. The descent typically involves multiple rappels, carefully managing ropes to avoid snags and ensuring a safe return to the valley floor, often in fading light, reflecting on the day's intense vertical journey.
