The Grand Combin is one of the 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps. To be precise, three of its summits are on the official list: Combin de Valsorey, Combin de Grafeneire, and Combin de Tsessette. This mountain has Arctic-like dimensions and features, undoubtedly making it one of the wildest major peaks in the Alps. During ski-mountaineering season, its north side is most frequented, where the Couloir du Gardien represents the most delicate and potentially dangerous section, with seracs looming over the steep ascent slope. In summer, climbers favor the western side. The Meitin Ridge on Combin de Valsorey is among the classic high-mountain routes. The traverse of all summits, descending toward the Tour de Boussine and Mauvoisin Dam, is a magnificent, long, complex, and complete itinerary that showcases every aspect of this mountain: rock, snow, sharp ridges, an exposed rappel descent, and a long return to civilization. It has it all.
Gran Combin traverse, our route. CreditsMap Geo Admin
Mid-September is typically ideal for high-altitude mountaineering, temperatures drop, and conditions improve, even after an exceptional summer like 2022’s. Michele and I had no fixed plans; we simply sought an intense adventure. I’d studied the Grand Combin traverse in the excellent Topo Verlag Valais guidebook, imagined it, and felt it was perfect for us. By now, Michele counts among my “victims”—trusted travel companions (calling them “clients” leaves a metallic taste I dislike) with whom I embark on new adventures.
Grand Combin traverse. Hiking up to Cabane Valsorey. Combin di Valsorey high on the left.
The approach to Cabane de Valsorey starts just below the Cordonne alpine pasture, a few kilometers from Bourg St Pierre. It’s scenic and not strenuous. The hut at 3,000m takes 3.5 hours to reach — small but welcoming, a true alpine refuge run by Isabelle and a young assistant. Outside, the panorama is extraordinary: Mont Velan in the foreground and the entire Mont Blanc massif to the west.
Traversata del Gran Combin.Verso la Cabane Valsorey, il Combin de Valsorey sullo sfondo.
Arriving at the hut by lunchtime is wise—rösti is a Valais staple. Afternoon rest in the dorm follows; I like scouting the next day’s pre-dawn route. The Meitin Ridge serves as the warm-up for the Grand Combin traverse. The path to Glacier du Meitin (or what remains of it…) is well-marked, even with reflectors early on. The steep section post-glacier has a clear trail over scree. Straying risks triggering rockfall—better to be among the first or behind a guide if route-finding isn’t your strength.?Reaching Col du Meitin (3,787m) takes 1–1.5 hours, offering partial relief.
The Meitin Ridge, equipped with resin-coated bolts for progression and rappels (where needed), divides into three parts:
1. First step (~350m): Stay alert—multiple paths and ledges abound. Easy to get lost in darkness. A short, steep dihedral (Grade III, bolted) marks the first real challenge, followed by delicate rock sections with short pitches.
2. Characteristic traverse: Rightward under a large roof, then an easy walk along the crest base to the 3,950m saddle.
Traversata del Gran Combin. Il tracciato dell’Arete du Meitin.
3. Final step: A traverse leads to the second steep section, climbed via short pitches (watch for loose rock). The ridge then eases—brief crest walking, skirting a gendarme—before summiting Combin de Valsorey (4,184m).
We took exactly 4 hours from the hut at a relaxed pace, losing minutes off-route (rare for me on classic routes—proof it’s tricky!). Knowing the path cuts time significantly.
Gran Combin Traverse. Arete de Meitin.
The rock climb ends here. From Valsorey to Combin de Grafeneire (4,314m), we crossed the glacier—a slight descent followed by gentle terrain manageable with poles. Summit #2 took just over 30 minutes.
Combin de Tsessette (4,135m) demanded technical skills again. The snow ridge on Aiguille Croissant was knife-edged, and the descent down Mur de la Côte was steep. Extra ice screws proved useful (as we found). Beyond the Mur, slopes eased—Tsessette became straightforward, my 42nd 4,000m peak.
Grand Combin Traverse. After Mur de la Côte.
At Tsessette, we were halfway. Awaiting us: 8 exposed rappels (re-equipped in 2017 by Verbier guides), with short transfers at points. Experience helps locate anchors. A 50m rope suffices, but watch ends—some rappels are nearly 25m. Cabane de Valsorey has a route sketch; I recreated it here (PDF).
Grand Combin Traverse. Rappelling from Combin de Tsessette.
Next, an easy rocky ridge descent featured exposed downclimbing. We kept crampons on due to snow cover. Finally, the day’s last climb: Tour de Boussine (3,830m). The glacier crossing held crevasses; the final ridge was simple. We summited 10 hours after leaving Valsorey—wind fading at last—and paused.
Here, the return plan matters:
- A 4-hour hike to Mauvoisin (below the world’s second-largest dam—250m deep, 520m long, holding 2M+ m³ water), then a bus.
- Our choice (recommended): Pre-book a taxi to meet at the bridge above Boussine (Swiss map coord. 2042m: 2’594’403, 1’088’006). Call the taxi from Tour de Boussine (signal available), allowing 3 hours to descend. Timing is critical—lake road traffic runs on fixed schedules.
Traversata del Gran Combin. Alla Tour de Boussine.
From Tour de Boussine, descend the easy ridge to 3,387m, then follow a steep trail south toward the glacier. Cross carefully, then aim for the eastern moraine col (cairns). Descend 500m of exhausting scree, then navigate grassy ravines to the marked trail to Boussine. A GPS track (Camp2Camp) helps.
The taxi was salvation after a grueling 13-hour day. The return drive along the lakeside tunnel felt like an Indiana Jones adventure.
Grand Combin Traverse. Summit of Combin de Tsessette.
Gear notes:
- Meitin Ridge alone: 30m rope, 3–4 alpine draws, slings, rappel device (glacier gear as needed).
- Full traverse: 50m rope + glacier gear. Cams useless.
The Grand Combin traverse ranks among my most beautiful high-mountain outings—easier than the Weisshorn traverse (north ridge ascent/standard descent) and shorter. Essential skills: endurance, swift movement on rough terrain/snow slopes ?50°, and a spirited sense of adventure for this airy 4,000m journey.
