Oche (Dent d')

Overview

The Dent d'Oche is situated in the french Chablais in a dominant position over the lake Geneva, and specially the towns of Thonon and Evian 1800 m lower situated.

Oche means "good pasture". Whatever you are between Léman and High Chablais, la "bec", as the Dent is called here cuts a fine figure in the sky, as a sharp canine, a rocky and grassy face, or as a vertical rock.

The Dent d'Oche is a very nice detour off the famous GR5, crossing the entire alps from North to South. It is a very nice starting or end point of a multiple day hiking trips through the Chablais Alps. Stunning Views! From the summit, the lakeside panorama contrasts perfectly with the view of the whole Mont Blanc massif.

Many people use in summer the normal route, a steep path with some rocks to climb (I). Cables secure the most exposed places. The traverse of the summit with descent on the south side is a little more difficult (unsettled gravels) by is highly advisable. The refuge de la Dent d'Oche is situated 100 meters under the summit, in an eagle's nest position. A night here is a great moment with all the lights around the lake Geneva and the daybreak on the summit.

Getting There

-To Bernex :

*By Road :
Bernex is situated 13 kms from Evian-les-Bains, 18 kms from Thonon-les-Bains, 60 kms from Lausanne and approximately 50 kms from 3 motorway exits : Geneve (coming via Dole, Les Rousses), Findrol (coming via Paris, Lyon by Annecy), Annemasse (coming via Paris, Lyon by Nantua).

*By Train :
TGV direct from Paris to Gare SNCF Evian-Les-Bains, weekends during winter school holidays.
Taxi connection from resort to train station.

*By Air
50 kms from International Airport at Geneva - tel : 00 41 22 798 20 00.
Then we recommend you to take the train from the airport to Lausanne and the boat across to Evian-Les-Bains.

*Bus Service
All year round bus service but there are so many places to visit, we recommend coming by car.

*Taxi
Mr Cointereau :
06.08.73.89.07 - 04.50.73.18.95 - 04.50.73.18.83

-From Bernex :
At the church, go to the left, cross the hamlet Trossy, and at the bridge of Charmet turn to the right to La Fetiuere (1206m). Park in a bend near a restaurant.

Red Tape

Parking free.

Climbing routes overview

1) W Ridge : Normal and easiest route

2) E Ridge : traverse. Adviced descent route

3) Pointe Yvonne Oche North D 25 m Nord Max 5 Obl 5 : loose rocks = not advisable

4) Ravanel Oche North D 350 m Nord Max 4c Obl 4c : classic and historic way

5) Canicula Oche SWest integral D 500 m West Max 5b Obl 4b

6) Oche South 60 m South Max 5c Obl 5b

7) Un Bien Bel Orage Oche West 60 m West Max 5c Obl 5c

8) Directe of the Refuge Oche NW D +250 m Nord Max 5 Obl 5

9) North face Directe Oche North TD - 350 m Nord Max 5b Obl 5

10) Jessica Oche South TD 40 m South Max 6b Obl 5c

11) Quel Froid Oche South 60 m TD +South Max 6b+ Obl 6a

12) Les Deux Frères Oche South ED -40 m South Max 6c Obl 6a

13) Moustiqu'Oche Oche North ED 250 m North Max 6c Obl 6b

14) E Ridge integral AD-

15) Trepertuis Ridge PD

Informations in french over these different routes : Chablais Grimpe

Summit Views

When To Climb

May through october. To avoid if the montain is snowed up.

Dent d'Oche Hut

Refuge de la Dent d' Oche 2114 m

The hut is open
- week--ends of june and september
- from 1 july to 31 august

RESERVATION : BEGAIN Serge
ADRESS : TROSSY, 74500 BERNEX
TEL : 04.50.73.16.14
FAX : 04.50.71.81.84
TEL HUT: 04.50.73.62.45
NOMBRE OF PLACES : 76
WINTER PLACES : 10

Owner : CAF LEMAN
ADRESS : 2 rue des Italiens
74200 THONON LES BAINS
Tél : 04.50.71.81.84
Fax : 04.50.71.81.84

Tourist informations

Hotels
- L'Alpage - Bernex -Tél 33 (0)4 50 73 60 73
- Relais Savoyard* - Saint Paul en Chablais - Tél 33 (0)4 50 73 60 14
- Hotel des Alpes** - Champanges - Tél 33 (0)4 50 73 45 76

Camping is not allowed in the Oche massive
Campings around :
- Pré Bandaz - Saint Paul en Chablais - Tél 33 (0)4 50 75 39 42
- La Prairie - Champanges - Tél 33 (0)4 50 73 40 68

Books and maps

Book : Randonnées pédestres entre Léman et Mont-Blanc
de Pierre Millon (in French only) ISBN 2857447647

Escalades en Chablais de Elouard, Labande et Urquizar - 1974

Le Calcaire à Pleines Mains, Topo d'Escalade du Chablais, Wahil Said et Laurent Desuzinge - 1990.

Map : Carte IGN Chablais-Faucignt-Genevois 3528 ET

Ibex of the Dent d'Oche

Climbing History

First ascent (normal way) : Sir Samuel Romilly (1781)

The north face was first climbed by the famous guide of Chamonix Joseph Ravanel called "The Rouge" the 1925.06.06.

Old views

External Links

• Chablais Grimpe
  Description of the climbing possibilities at the Dent d'Oche.
  

Images

View Oche (Dent d') Image Gallery - 51 Images