Mountain refuge Abri du Charmant Som

Between journey and ascension in the Chartreuse

In a map reading, Abri du Charmant Som fits better as a point of passage or light support than as a destination in itself. Its position, at 1686 meters and within the environment of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, places it at a point already clearly mountainous of the Chartreuse massif, close to long-distance itineraries such as the Traversée de la Chartreuse, the Chartreuse Tour and GR 965. For those who link days, it can be used to fail a journey through prealpine terrain; for those who propose a shorter exit, it makes sense as a reference close to the top of the Charmant Som which is less than a mile away, more than as a basis for several days.

The practical interest of the coat is in that double condition. On the one hand, it is linked to the axis of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, one of the classic doors of the massif. On the other hand, it moves on a radio near very recognizable summits of the area, such as Chamechaude o La Pinéa, which helps to place it within a sector with quite a mountain and mountain traffic, although that does not eliminate the exposed character of the mountain when time changes. The altitude is not extreme, but it is enough to notice wind, fog or fast cooling outside the most stable season. In this context, it often has more logic for mountaineers who already carry a defined route and know if they need a timely guard, a long pause or a link between cords and massif trails.

As for autonomy, it is appropriate not to have immediate water next to the coat. There are relatively close sources, but the nearest one is about 1.6 km, distance that in mountain may not be trivial according to the itinerary and the gap of the day. That's why it's interesting to get there with a water margin and not depend on finding supply on the way. It is also reasonable to check recent conditions of access and land, especially if you plan to use this point within a long journey through the Chartreuse or as a support to move between the Charmant Som environment and the main paths of the sector.