A lauzière classic. Going up the Bridan valley allow easy change of plans. There are no particular difficulties except 10m at 45° below the summit (you don't have to ski that part!). Only the last 200m are exposed to the S. The rest of the tour is mainly NE and E.

Ascent

From Celliers-Dessus, follow the road to the Madeleine col up to the first bend. Then follow the forest track of Arpettaz and reach the water works (1495m). From there, enter the Bridan valley and follow its left margin. If there is too little snow, you can also stick to the track until the 1700m bend and then aim back for the valley.

Cross the stream at about 1950m and go up the NE slopes. These are steep (35°) for the first 50m (stay close to the base of the Rognolet) but then ease off. Aim for the ridge that allows you to descend into the other valley, passing close to the lake of Lac du Lay. Go up the ridge and into the S face.

Variant by the pass: At 2150m, go up the E slopes for 150m and aim N to reach the Col de Montartier. You can stop there or cross to the right, staying level, to get back onto the S slope of the Rognolet (some rocky outcrops).

Once below the summit, go up the steeper section to reach a fore-summit. The summit cross can be reached by a narrow ridge. It is 15m higher at 2659m.

Descent

Follow the ascent route back to the car.