How to get here

Park your car in the small square in the village of Chaudanne, which can be reached by turning left shortly after the village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. In case of heavy snow, you must go on foot from the town and continue on this stretch along the footpath which runs along the road route. From Chaudanne, head northeast following the road route that leads uphill to a bridge. Pass across it going back up along the right bank of the torrent through a clearing first and then a grove. Keep the noticeable waterfalls that you see above in view, following the course of the iced torrent. 20 minutes (or 30 minutes from Rhêmes-Notre-Dame).

Description of the route

Although low, it is a beautiful and breathtaking waterfall, to the right of the Cascata dell’Entrelor and clearly visible from the village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. It does not have any objective dangers, yet unfortunately it does not form every year, as happened, for example, from 2005 to 2011. It is definitely a classic in the area and very crowded! Numerous climbing routes are available (right, centre and left): the following describes the one on the right which is the one most used.
The chance to climb in just a great single pitch from the base to the top (60-metre ropes) is surely noteworthy, remaining always on the left side (facing upwards).

Level: II/5
Length: 80 m
First ascent: A. Cambiolo, A. Casalegno, E. Marlier, S. Mazza 1988
Altitude: 1700 m
Exposure: North West
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,12058 Lat.: 45,557601 - UTM (ED50) - X: 353399,51 Y: 5046812,17

L1: series of rounded bulges of rock usually of a petal and cauliflower texture up to the free-standing base. Belay on ice (no material in place, the rock in the ravine is of very poor quality).
L2: two short free-standings interspersed by a small shelf that imposes a short overhanging pass. Belay on the tree at the end of the difficulties.

Descent: walking on the left bank or abseiling from a tree with ropes and maillon on the edge of a rocky jump (right bank), in the latter case, you need two 60 metre ropes.

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