Abri du Grand Col

The place

High-altitude shelter at 2935 m in the Vanoise massif (Savoie, access from Arc 2000), below the Col de la Chal. The first hut open to hikers and mountaineers. Indoor equipment (August 2023): 4 mattresses, blankets, table, oil heating (strong smells), utensils and pans. No water nearby, no toilets. At this altitude, open cabins are rare — leave the place clean, close the door properly (elastic between the shutter and the front door). In summer, access via a stony track heading south — depending on snow cover, park near the Lac Marlou (2400/2500 m); snow possible even in summer.