Trip Report : Bec Du Lachet

The problem with this part of the Alps is that almost everything is as obvious as the Llanberis path on Snowdon not so this little gem. Parking at Le Planet pass into the woodlands and follow the signs for Peclerey. Stay with this track as it opens up and zigzags it way over the 1900m contour. Eventually the path makes a distinct turn to the left and straightens up but soon another clear but narrower path heads off right towards a gap on the ridge. Stick with this cross a single more dominant track and as the path narrows and steepens you move onto real mountain terrain. The path remains clear and you eventually come off the face of the mountainside onto an open ridge with views of both La Tour and Argentiere glaciers.
The route continues to climb and is now more Scotland then Wales with lots of small crags to play with finally at the turn point a further change leaves you in a mass of rocks that would not be out of place on Glyder Fach. From the high point 2572m head back about 200m before heading NW to pick up the steep ridge to Bec de la Cluy. This offers several small challenges but all can be turned or scrambled down with little problem.

From this point some care is needed sheep tracks do exist but they end abruptly and the mix of steep slope, mosses, and bilberry make for a descent which the Rhinogs would be proud of and your ankles will howl at asy you work your way back to the main path you left about 3hours before all be it 500m further east. From there the obvious circuit continues back to le planet.