As we crawled out of bed today the sun was shining, but there was ominous cloud around the tops, the forecast was mixed for the rest of the week - cloud, rain and occasionally sun. The decision was to remain on day trips to see if it would sort itself out ... and so for to-day's little outing we had decided to aim for the col de la fenetre just over the Grand St Bernard Pass .. so if the weather closed in we would have a good track to get back on.
Parking at the tunnel was crowded, but we were early enough that most was from people staying at the hospice ... a very common thing. the cloud started rolling in from Italy almost as soon as we had kitted up.
We had been up this track several times the last visit, so we set off at a cracking pace, and before we had time to think about being tired we had arrived at the hospice.
The cloud here was all-round, and we soon decided that this would become just a recce. Off into the mist down the other side. quite surprised to meet an avalanche protection tunnel.
We did not really have an aim other than going for a quick look so had not taken the skins off .. going down the slight slope did take more effort (and time) than riding down.
Continuing down we ended up at the point where the track up to the cols left the road ... we had reached a decision point, head into the cloud or turn around.
I had had enough so persuaded Bryon it was time to go back.
The minute we turned around the sun started to break through and the cloud lifted. The track up to the hospice was a bit of a drudge not really steep enough to get anywhere fast. However with the visibility improving we had an opportunity to look around.
Back at the hospice it was time to take the skins off and zoom down to the car. The next batch of people destined for a night in the hospice were flogging their way up ... it never ceases to amaze the methods they use to get up - from skis of every variety through boards, and snow shoes to just shoes.
Day over ad back to the L'Union and tea. The sun was still shining at Orsieres, we had obvious gone the wrong way and should have chosen a tour further north.
We had been up this track several times the last visit, so we set off at a cracking pace, and before we had time to think about being tired we had arrived at the hospice.
The cloud here was all-round, and we soon decided that this would become just a recce. Off into the mist down the other side. quite surprised to meet an avalanche protection tunnel.
We did not really have an aim other than going for a quick look so had not taken the skins off .. going down the slight slope did take more effort (and time) than riding down.Continuing down we ended up at the point where the track up to the cols left the road ... we had reached a decision point, head into the cloud or turn around.
I had had enough so persuaded Bryon it was time to go back.The minute we turned around the sun started to break through and the cloud lifted. The track up to the hospice was a bit of a drudge not really steep enough to get anywhere fast. However with the visibility improving we had an opportunity to look around.
Back at the hospice it was time to take the skins off and zoom down to the car. The next batch of people destined for a night in the hospice were flogging their way up ... it never ceases to amaze the methods they use to get up - from skis of every variety through boards, and snow shoes to just shoes.Day over ad back to the L'Union and tea. The sun was still shining at Orsieres, we had obvious gone the wrong way and should have chosen a tour further north.
