31 March 1999

La Grave, France

We could not leave this area (as we would have to tomorrow, to be closer to Geneva to meet Chris), without a day on the La Grave main slopes.

The skies were clear, and the snow was a dusting of powder on a firm base ... excellent opportunity for us.

At the top station we wanted to have a quick look at the upper ski area, so took the first T-bar lift ... not a personal favourite especially since an early experience where I was by chance of the queue, partnered with a very timid asian girl, who promptly fell off, only to be trapped by her ski pole strap and was dragging behind .. I spent the whole lift balancing the bar whilst trying to get her free. This time was much simpler as Bryon and I shared a bar.

From the top we cut across the glacier and up the next T bar to the high point ..  this is where the link to Les Deux Alps meets, and as if on cue the Rattrac with rope tow came into view, with a collection of passengers desperately holding on.

Preparing to make the long descent from the high point we paused for a few photos, and then set off for the top station.

From the top station we chose to keep to our left on the way down (the reverse of last year).

There was plenty to keep us concentrating on as we descended the series of bowls to the closed hut

Before the traverse back through the woods to the mid station.

Back up to the top station for a second run down, this time to the right following the large number of tracks.

At the mid station we decided that we did not have the energy left for another run, regardless of how much chocolate we took on-board.

However the valley run was open, so we chose to make the complete descent.

Although this was sparse in places, it was possible to ski all the way to the bottom.

After this fantastic day we returned to the gite, and after the last few days of cooking for ourselves, we chose to try the demi pension evening meal. Now we knew what we had been missing ... well worth the price, and something that changed our approach in the future.

30 March 1999

Gros tet, France

Back up to the valley from the first day ... This time we would be heading up to the ridge on the West side of the valley. I had obtained a guide book in French for the area - I would later learn that these are the eponymous "white" Guides. A lot of the routes are way beyond our capabilities (and fitness), but reading the book gives some inspiration.

Today we would follow the track up the valley before striking out to the ridges, following it back to the ski area.

Leaving the car we headed out along the track, which in summer presumably links all the villages and crofts up the valley.

The track gradually rose, and before long we were along in the white wilderness.

Behind us the clouds were gathering, but in front there was still breaks in the cloud as we looked to the end of the valley.

We reached where we believe was the point to turn left and head up to the ridge. Initially we followed a set of tracks, that soon headed to the peak at the end of the valley

We had to make our own tracks, as it seems most people use the valley road to get to get from the end. This was hard work as the surface was quite soft with new(ish) snow.

As we got closer to the top we met the clouds coming the other way and we just kept heading upwards in the firm belief that when it stopped rising we would be at the top.

Skins off and ready to go down ...  A quick compass bearing to make sure we would not be embarrassed later. We we started off, tentatively and slowly peering into the cloud for any hint of change in gradient.

As we came out of the cloud things got easier as we could see where we had to end up - a cross on the col. This was the indicator of the place to turn down into the valley.

Unfortunately there is a sting in the tail.... The car park is 50m above the stream.. absorbing any energy left.

Looking back to the Gros Tet ... the cloud had disappeared.. at least we could see where we had been.

29 March 1999

Aiguillette du Lauzet, France

last year, I had visited the Aiguillette Du Lauzet, to attempt the via ferrata, however it had opened up the possibility of a tour - the map shows a viable route.

the skies were blue and the sun was shining, as we got ready at the car park....  there was plenty of trials leading to and from this car-park, which is just a lay-by on the side of the road.

The route goes up the GR50, until it branches of around the back of the auguillette, so is a large track that a vehicle could drive up.

At the summer village of l'Alpe du Lauzet, the GR50 moves around the South side, whilst we continued on around the back.

From here we kept above the ravine and picked our way through the boulder fields, on the gentle slopes. Eventually we turned around the back and could see around the corner to the high point at the col de l'Aiguillette.

The final slopes were steeper, and well covered with tracks, and there was a obvious track zig-zaging up to the col.

Getting to the col, the first of the year, was a relief, and I was certainly feeling the exercise...  a life sitting behind a desk all day is not the best preparation for the hills.

The views were spectacular especially down to the south with the Meige, and Barre prominent.


Looking down the south side we could see that the slopes were bare of snow in some critical places, so we had not real option, but to go back the way we had come, or do some serious packing.

the descent was without problems, and soon we were schussing down the track.

Back at the car the call of the bar on the other side was too much and we were soon sat in the sun drinking coffee.

28 March 1999

La Ceile des Juges, France

First day, and after we had got the gear sorted out, we decided that some skinning would be the best way to start. Up behind La Grave is a very small "local" ski area. two chairs (one up each side of the valley) and a tow. Leaving the car in the cap park, we headed up the piste to the East side .. not really sure where we would get to.. but there was a low ridge over looking the main valley to the South.

We ended up after a couple of hours skinning at one of these bumps, before turning around and trying to remember how the planks worked in conjunction with our feet once they are sliding.

27 March 1999

1999 Spring Ski Tour, France

This years tour would grow on all the things we had learned on the years before. Bryon and I would drive out and spend two weeks initially back in the la Grave area, doing some day routes to get fit, with Chris flying out and join us for second half.

We were all of a compatible standard and seemed to understand each others capabilities well, so expectations were very similar.

The other change was that we would make more use of gites after the experiment the previous year, and it was to this end that we drove out to Arsine, past Villar d'Arenne. We had got the gite from the tourist office in La Grave. Gite le pas de l'Ane

We had the gite to our selves to start with, and fully intended to use it as a self catering bunk house, but soon succumbed to the benefits of half board.

Upstairs was a bunk house, and the common room was comfortable, especially while we were on our own.


Trip Time Line
|
|Arrive La Grave
La ciele des Juges|
|Aiguilette du Lauzet
Gros Tet|
|La Grave
Move to Samoens|
|Pointe de Chersery
Sixt fer a Cheval|
|La Bourgeoise
Pointe de Ressachaux|
|Rest Day
Flaine|
|Col de Coux/ La Berte
Pointe de Haute Fleury|
|Go Home