Col de la Vanoise: Conquerors of futility

In the 19th century, the English were enthralled with foreign travel and conquering the alpine peaks. The Vanoise became grounds for exploration. On the 8th August 1860, William Mathews made the first ascent of the Grande Casse 3,855 m in altitude) accompanied by Chamois hunter Étienne Favre of Pralognan-la-Vanoise and local mountain guide Michel Croz.
The Pointe de la Réchasse was scaled in 1856 by Gottleib.