Alpenzù

Go past Gressoney-Saint-Jean and reach the Onder Parletoa. Park your car in the convenient square, in view of the waterfall that you can walk to without problems. 2 minutes.

Classic amateur ice climb, very accessible. It is located downstream of the picturesque village of Walser from which it takes its name. Very crowded.

Level: II/3
Length: 180 m
First ascent: A. Jaccod in the early 80’s
Altitude: 1500 m
Exposure: East
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,82021 Lat.: 45,797598 - UTM (ED50) - X: 408396,04 Y: 5072435,07

L1: rather short length that passes the first ice ridge, never vertical. Belay on rock to the left (fix).
L2: same features as the first pitch but longer. Belay to the right on tree (rope).
Move along the river to the base of the final jump. Belay on the rock to the right (fix).
L3: good ridge about 60 metres high allowing numerous climbing routes depending on the weather conditions. You can climb in two lengths, stopping halfway on ice or, more elegantly, in one long pitch. Belay at the top on a tree (ropes).

Descent: descent is possible by abseiling down the ice climb. However, to not interfere with other roped parties, it is preferable to walk down an easy footpath on the left bank. In this case, at the end of the third jump, you must climb another hundred metres until you find the path to Alpenzù.

Text and photos taken from Effimeri barbagli (M. Giglio, 2014), the complete guide to ice climbs in Aosta Valley.