Alma
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| | Raps:24, max ↨131ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:Required 4 km Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Basalt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 28 Dec 2024
"3.5h approach, 5h descent, 30 minute exit. The approach hike is no joke - prepare to expend considerable energy. Likely we were the first ones through |
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| Best season: | Jan-Jun
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14.7050, -61.1120
14.7198, -61.0987
14.7049, -61.0926
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Introduction[edit]
A beautiful canyon with a demanding approach located in the Pitons du Carbet.
Descent Summary: A first part in the vegetation with water arriving gradually (because of the departure from the ridge at the top of the watershed). A second vertical part more open with a sequence of large rappels between 30 and 40 meters. A third part more aquatic and cashed with a larger horizontal progression.
Take extra rope and a competent and physically fit team. Do not attempt this canyon if forecasts are unfavorable, as escape throughout much of the descent is not possible.
Approach[edit]
From Fort de France, take the RN 3 towards Morne Rouge to the place called Alma or the White River and leave a shuttle where the river crosses the road. Continue with the second vehicle to the butcher's plateau (two small houses without electricity are on each side of the plateau) and park. The trail is the same as for many of the canyons along that mountain. Follow it as you climb steeply, using handlines and roots for pulling yourself up the densely vegetated and near-vertical terrain. Go to the top of the Boucher peak and continue south along the ridge towards Morne Lacroix. Pass several entrances of canyons signposted by PVC tubes on which the name appears (in the order; Basalt, Ariégeois, and Alma, all on the left hand). A whiteish-grey pipe with "ALMA" crudely etched is your starting point. It will be at a saddle of 1041 meters after approximately 2.9 km. Make sure you drop into the correct canyon as others nearby have larger rappels. Expect to spend a few hours on this approach and do not be deceived by the short distance.
Descent[edit]
The canyon falls away very steeply with impressive views and vertical rappels. It is fairly well-bolted but a few anchors can present rope retrieval challenges if rigged poorly.
Exit[edit]
There is a large cairn on river left to mark the exit, and an east trail which takes you to the road. The car park area is just down the road at the dam/bridge.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Descente-Canyon.com : Alma
Icopro.org : L'alma- An Kanion La-madinina : Alma; Rivière Blanche
