Mont de la Tsa or La Tsa

This Summit is a elevation of secondary importance. Some confusion is created in time with equal to the nearby Punta Chaligne (+; 2.608m) slightly higher and immediately to the North. In fact those who are commonly called Tips Chalignes or Saline are two distinct peaks and separated from each other by the Met or Metz Hill (2.492m), located on the ridge separating the Valley of Clusella or Clusellaz (West) between the Communes of Aosta (East) and Sarre and the Eastern slopes of the latter above the Comba Labe between those of Aosta Gignod, now at the beginning of the Valley of the Gran San Bernardo. All those zeta (Metz, Tzaligne, Clusellaz) have then doubles the confusion due to a process of forced Frenchification reported from recent Cards and Maps while on the older times are only the names of Clusella, Chaligne or Tsaligne and Met, as all pastures located in the South of the latter. To complete the opera then the populace and the neophytes and novice apprentices, at least until the Sixties, had coined the nickname of Saline, although the same have nothing to do with the salt but the name is intended to Tsa (last and highest mountain pasture) and the frequent presence of thelightning, brought by the cold currents of the "Coumba Freida" (basin or downstream cold) and from the various hills of the Great St. Bernard, in this area very exposed to the North and rather "hot" in the South because of the nearby presence of the town. A closeness that has made this small "Cima" is the subject of frequent visitations by Walkers of Aosta and Sarre, especially in early season when the snow is transformed here in advance; but also at the end of the same in late autumn or in early winter for to "close" the same. A tiny Top for everyone because of the easiness of his ascent and scenic views to over 220°, as well as on the city below relaxed at his feet. It is typically climb starting from the Village of New Thouraz and through the easy Ridge South, but also from the opposite direction towards the Colle di Met with the same start and also by the Commune of Gignod, although for the latter the favorite destination is made up of the adjacent more "renowned" Punta Chaligne which also addresses a popular Procession in August. The climb instead, using the same hill and the Northern Crest, is somewhat more rare on the other side or along the Vallon of Clusella. On this side, in fact the primary goal is the trip to Lake Fallère (2.415m) and for the most prepared to Mount Fallère (3.061m), higher Summit in this subgroup. The passage of the Hill of Met was reserved in the past to the connection between the Alps Morgnoz, Nouva and Chesère (West) with those of Chaligne, Arolla Rombason towards North. Transhumances that the current farm roads have completely disappeared. Among them stands up as a small tower the Mont de la Tsa or La Tsa (2.742m) above the Tardiva Pass (2.410m), now turn to the Valley of the Great St. Bernard. Unless you want to, as it was until the Sixties, starting walk from Aosta, bypassing the same to get towards the above Fallère ...

Getting There

BY CAR:

• From TORINO, MILANO, etc: Motorway A5. Exit at IVREA or Quincinetto (PIEDMONT).
• From IVREA: in West towards Pont St. Martin, Donnas, Bard, St. Vincent, Chatillon, Nus, Quart, St. Christophe, Aosta Sarre (in West) or Gignod (North) Municipalities. From Courmayeur Resort: in East to Pré St. Didier, Morgex, La Salle, Saint Pierre, Villeneuve, Sarre, Aosta or in North to Gignod Municipalities.
• From Sarre Municipality in Central Baltea Valley towards Aosta City and Gignod Common at the entrance on Gran San Bernardo Valley From Sarre (657m), with Regional Road, towards Plèod, Vert Dessous and Dessus, Vareille, Caillod/Ville sur Sarre/Remondet, Moulin/la Cort, forks 1.225m, 1.301 meters, Salet, Chavalançon (1.426m) small Villages to Thouraz Dessous and Dessus Hamlets (1.652m); from the last to Closella and Met small Valleys. From Aosta North Town with Main Route of From Aosta City towards the Great Saint Bernard Valley to alternative nearby Grand Signayes Hamlet (737m); through the deviation, in asphalt, to Arpuilles (1.010m), Excenex (1.046m) Fractions. From these by farm dirt roads or various paths, numbered or not, to Tsa de Metz or "Les Arpes Vieilles" (1.419m), below Checotteyes (1.715m) Alp on Arpilles small Valley. From this point to Met Hill, Met Summit and Croix de Chaligne. From Gignod Commune (988m) with Great St. Bernard SS.27 to alternative nearby Condemine Hamlet (1.137m); leaving left through Municipal Road to Grand e Petit Buthier Villages (1.302m, 1.439m) in Chaligne Comba. From this last, with private dirt farms roads and through Mendey, Roncaille, Rombason Pastures up to the Chaligne Shelter (1.936m), below Costa Tardiva (2.380m), Tardiva Hill (2.410m) and neighboring of Punta Chaligne (2.608m), Col and Pointe de Met (2.492m, 2.553m).
• From FRANCE: through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Entrèves-crossroads to Vény/Ferret Valleys - Mountain Guides of Courmayeur - La Saxe Rock Gym - Courmayeur. By Little Saint Bernard Pass, closed since November until half May to La Thuile Valley - Pré Saint Didier - Courmayeur. It is not necessary to take Motorway A5: you can drive on SS.26, in the direction of AOSTA - IVREA - TURIN.

BY PLANE:

• Aeroporto "Corrado Gex" Saint Christophe (Aosta).

Approaches & Routes