via the Val Troncea, from Pattemouche
A really beautiful trip in the Alps of Pinerolo, relatively safe even after a heavy snowfall, easy (BS = good skier), also feasible with snowshoes.
You reach the resort Pattemouche (1605 m) turning left (signposted), just after Pragelato, on the state road that leads to Sestriere. You park near the cross-country ski plant
the farthest parking places are for free...
You follow the cross-country trail that leads into the Val Troncea, following the specific path
indicated by signs for snowshoeing... until you reach a bridge
that you cross, to move to the left margin of the valley (orographic right), aside of the stream that accompanies you
From there you soon come in sight of the deserted village of Laval
and on your left appears the valley that you will have to climb on the left margin; you will come across a pole with directions
you go over Laval
and go up along the valley, through constant slopes and a sparse forest
until you come across an old decommissioned lift
now you are out of the woods, and your path turns right going in a southerly direction parallel to the ski lift. Your goal is in front of you, and by going through valley to the left (towards the east)
you get to the ridge that connects the Clot de la Soma to Mount Morefreddo, that has some ruins on its top
I chose to go down along the ridge, reaching through it the Clot de la Soma (see attached trace)
and then descended along the old ski slope, but you can also go down along the path forward.
■ fb, 2014-02-11