How to get here

Shortly before the end of the paved road of the Ollomont valley, you will see the turnoff to the left to the hamlet of Barliard. Park the car just before the houses and walk in through the village. After having passed it, head north-west initially along a dirt road then through the meadows up to the woods. Here, the slope starts to change. Climb a steep and strenuous, but fortunately short, stretch, up to the base. 15 minutes.
You can also leave on foot just before the village of Glacier, walking up the artificial embankment towards the waterfall. The last steep stretch in the woods however is the same route as described above.

Description of the route

It is the busiest line in the area. It shows as a good, vertical ice wall, a hundred metres high, that forms on a rocky ledge surrounded by woodland. Unfortunately, it suffers an unfavourable exposure to the sun and not always offers high quality ice. Furthermore, it does not form regularly every year, but when it does, you have to grab it quick! No objective dangers.
The name of the ice climb commemorates the accommodation facilities, which no longer exist, “Foyer des guides” located in the village of Vaud and managed by one of its first climbers (A. Cheraz).

Level: II/4
Length: 100 m
First ascent: A. Cheraz, E. Marlier in the 90’s
Altitude: 1700 m
Exposure: East
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,29506 Lat.: 45,870991 - UTM (ED50) - X: 367758,87 Y: 5081325,88

L1: very long, vertical and sustained pitch, more or less at the centre of the great wall. 60 metres. Belay on rock to the left in a niche (fix).
L2: turn right to tackle an impressive sequence of vertical ridges, until the end of the difficulties. 40 metres. Belay on rock to the left (fix).

Descent: abseiling along the ice climb with the anchors used during the climb (fix).

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