Col de la Lose

"In the last 2 million years, the glaciers have eroded the valleys by giving them a typical ""U"" shape. The valley of Isère is a fine local example. By contrast, when the rocks are harder, glacial rock bars are formed, such as the gorges of Malpasset or those of the Daille. It is then that the erosion of the stream below and upstream of the glacier takes over. The cliff screes of the rock bar end up accentuating this embankment."

The gorges also show the traces of the uplift of the Alps. Following the collision between the Eurasian and African continental plates, the limestone and schistous layers became folded like marshmallows. Ÿou then begin to understand the colossal energies in action! This phenomenon is still ongoing. Proof can be seen in the recurring earthquakes in the Turin region, which, with time, herald the physical rapprochement of the two shores of the Mediterranean, but rest assured, it will be some time before it happens!

This memorial is a reminder of the tragic fate of the British soldiers in November 1944. Captured in Tobruk (Lybia), then imprisoned in Italy where they later escaped, they were aided by partisan Italians in getting to France. In the valley of Prariond, a snowstorm raged. The refuge couldn’t be found as it was buried under the snow. The majority of men died of cold or were buried under avalanches. Only 3 men out of 39 (including one 9 days after the storm) came out of this affair alive, thanks mainly to the aid of the Avalins (inhabitants of Val d´Isère) and other partisan Italians.

"This ""basin"" is one of the inlets of Val d´Isère. This mainly supplies water to the 30,000 weekly visitors that the resort receives each winter. The water from the catchment area is used for drinking water, the residents’ sanitation needs, the municipality’s public facilities and also for the manufacture of part of the artificial snow of the ski slopes. Like all ski resorts, these winter collections coincide with the low water period, when the flow rate is the lowest."

This ruin is the former refuge, which also served as an alpine chalet for the shepherds of the communal flocks. Due to the snowfall covering the shelter, winter access was made via the roof through a still visible chimney equipped with a fixed metal ladder. The enclosure, with dry stone wall (known locally as “rama”), attests to its pastoral use. The chalet has not been used by shepherds since the 1950s. The new Refuge de Prariond, built in 1969 by Vanoise National Park, took over.

"The term ""pinnata"" applied to this violet (Viola pinnata) refers to the deeply-cut lobe shape leaves, a feature that is only observed in this species in Vanoise. It grows on scorched grasslands, clear forests rocks, preferably on limestone, gypsum and on well-exposed slopes (south, south-east). In France, it is listed in just four alpine departments from Savoy to the Alpes-Maritimes. The Savoyard towns are limited to five Tarentaise municipalities. Historical records are still to be found in Maurienne. It’s in the valley of Prariond that the highest known populations live at 2,610 metres in altitude! Its rarity justifies its protection nationwide."

"The plateau of Prariond is home to a fine population of alpine marmots (Marmotta marmotta). This herbivorous rodent lives in a family colony, consisting of a couple, the young marmots born in the most recent year and the previous year´s generation. The dominant male ""politely but mannishly invites"" his sons ""to leave"" his territory during their second summer under pain of forcing them out ""manu militari"". Hence, these marginalised offspring can be found in the peripheral territories learning how to live independently."

"The Refuge de Prariond is a reception building with constraints specific to the isolated locations. The drinking water supply, more than 800 m in length, is piped from the opposite slope from which it must be conveyed by means of a cable work over Isère! Electricity is produced by photovoltaic panels and a pico-hydrœlectric power station that turbines a small portion of the stream located to the west of the refuge. The provision of food requires 2 to 3 helicopter rotations per year plus wood for heating and gas for cooking. ""Sobriety"" and ""public service"" are the key words for the management of this shelter."

The Vanoise National Park provides trails for summer visitors. There are about ten seasonal workers who work to maintain the 550 km of trails in the heart of the park. The area you cross is subject to regular works to manage the water flows (gully erosion) and off-trail pathways in the bends. The occlusion by vegetation that you see is… 20 years old! Please help to protect the plant-life by staying on the trails.

The stream that you cross is the Rouvines de Bazel. In 2011, during a storm, the stream turned into a torrential wash. The thalweg was embanked several metres and a mudslide flowed down to Isère (still visible). This geological incident led to the trail being moved by National Park workers. The mountain is constantly evolving and often cataclysmically! The étagnes (female ibex) subsequently made the most of this incident by exploiting the natural salt water on the mudslide.

Ÿou can see the various glaciers still present around the valley which include, from left to right, the glacier of the Isère springs (cut in 2 by the ridge of the Grande Aiguille) and the glacier of Gros Caval. Two others are hidden from your point of view, those being the Pers glacier (cut in 3 parts) and the Col Pers. The IGN map Top 25 n ° 3633ET 2008 edition shows the glacial retreat between 1975 and 2006. It is illustrated in yellow.

This slender antelope is native to the plain! After a thousand-year hunt, it found refuge in the Alps and Pyrénées (its Pyrenean name is “isard”). When Vanoise National Park was created in 1963, there were about 400 antelope living throughout the territory; antelope numbers now fluctuate around 4,000. Although more timid than the ibex, the chamois is still fairly easy to spot in the Prariond valley, provided that you are prepared to be patient and have binoculars!

The end of pastoralism in the 1950s, the creation of the two national parks of Gran Paradiso (1922) and Vanoise (1963), allowed for the recolonisation of the ibex in Prariond. Ÿou can spot this placid animal, by respecting the following guidelines. If you spot the animals with your binoculars, do not pursue them but let them come to you, while remaining below them (they like to dominate “their subject”). These animals are best seen at the beginning or end of the day.

Ÿou are at the frontier of the two twin national parks, the Vanoise and the Gran Paradiso. The Gran Paradiso takes its name from the Italian summit which culminates at 4,091 m facing you. The two parks were built around their mission to safeguard the alpine ibex. Its population is currently estimated to number 1,900 ibexes in Vanoise and about 2,500 in the Gran Paradiso. All European populations (approximately 50,000) come from the release of animals from the relict populations of the two parks.