Mountain refuge Le Triangle à vent

In the lass area of the Casse Blanche, above Névache and within the Alpine sector of the Altos Alpes, this free coat appears about 2300 meters, at a level where weather can change quickly and where water and time planning weighs as much as the route itself. Its position places it in an open mountain environment, useful as a reference for those who move along the top of the Vallée de la Clarée or link itineraries between valleys and hills of the environment.

Le Triangle à vent it fits mainly as a point of logistical support in long or variable days, rather than as a destination in itself. The nearby presence of tracks such as the Via Alpina, the GR 5c or the large routes that connect with the Tour de l'Oisans et Écrins and the Tour du Parc National des Écrins reinforces this role of a step-by-step shelter, useful to divide stage, readjust a journey or have an option to guard if the advance slows down by fog, wind or accumulated tiredness.

In practical terms, the most relevant data is water: there is a source located at about 530 meters, a reasonable distance on the map but that on mountain terrain it is appropriate to assess according to slope, visibility and load. There are other water points at a greater distance, already above the mile and a half, so it is not appropriate to entrust the whole day to a single improvised replacement. If it is expected to be late, with unstable time or out of season, it is wise to leave with sufficient autonomy and scope not to depend on finding favourable conditions at the end of the day.

The utility of this shelter increases when the stage mixes different grounds or requires decisions on the way. At this altitude, a transition between a clear path, blocks, pedrera or more exposed slopes can change the real pace a lot. This is why it is particularly interesting in conservative planning: as a point to shorten a day, protect itself from a change of time or avoid a long descent to the bottom of the valley if conditions are no longer comfortable.