October 2025, we attempted to cross the Breach of Rosaël – a pass that connects Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys at over 9,000 feet via resorts of Val Thorens and Orelle – but the first snows blocked our path. This summer, on our return journey, we try again to cross this pass but this time from its southern side, starting from Orelle resort.
 
1. The last few hundred meters are still blocked by snow patches. I have to get out the shovel to secure some sections.
We’re definitely the first to attempt this route this year.
 

 
 
2. After a long climb interspersed with a few stops to cool down VivaLaVida, here we are on the other side of the breach with a strange light, kind of thick mist, perhaps because of the wildfires ravaging South of France.
 

 
 
3. We sleep on the descent to Val Thorens and after filling the fridge the next day, we opt to discover the trail that goes up to Pointe de la Masse.
 

 
 
4. Great photo spot for a portrait of VivaLaVida! 😀
 

 
 
5. Small lake at an altitude of over 7,500 feet.
 

 
 
6. We find our campsite for the last night on the ridge, not far from the summit.
 

 
 
7. Needles above Méribel.
 

 
 
8. Sunset on the Ecrins massif where we were a few days ago.
 

 
 
9. The sun sets behind the mountains…
 

 
 
10. Silhouettes at dusk.
 

 
 
After two weeks of overlanding, Emile joined his mother to attend a family wedding. As for me, I went back to the Chartreuse mountains to try to reach the arch we’d been aiming about twenty days ago but had to turn back because of thunderstorm.
 
I’ll tell you about it very soon! 🙂