Grands Montets, France

After the fantastic weather yesterday, it changed over night .. this morning the ground was wet from the rain and the valley was full of cloud.

Bryon, Chris and I decided to-day was good day for another Piste skinning session - history had told us that we had to make the best of the fact it was not adverse conditions. Added to the fact that it is not unusual for a cloud inversion to happen in the Chamonix valley - there was every chance we could climb out of it.

Leaving the other two at the camp-site we set out for Grands Montets, and proceeded up the Red run in the mist. As can be seen from our tracks a lot off snow had fallen over night, and this meant we had to break trail.

As we rose up the mountain we got out for the initial cloud layer, only to find another one slightly above, and another, etc.

From time to time the sun would try and break through... but I suspect this was just the clear patches in the layers all aligning for a few minutes. However it make for some interesting photos.

From Lognan, the Mid-station we continued on up the slopes below the Herse chair lift, to the point where it felt like lunch time. this was some where around where one of the tracks on the slope crosses under the lift.

We turned around after taking on some food and liquid, enjoying the fantastic powder left overnight ...  in truth we were still really learning about this kind of snow, but we had great fun remembering all the things not to do.

As we past the Mid-station it was time to revert to the piste - where contrary to coming up we had been the first, was now a collection of tracks, but with plenty to still get your teeth into.




We were quite tired by the time we got to the bottom, and our legs were certainly feeling the exercise.

back to join the others .. but that is a tale for tomorrow.

Tête de Balme, France

First day out and we chose to go back to a well known area- Tet de Balme ...  this gives us an opportunity to check out everyone's relative fitness, as well as shaking out the "ski legs". Critically as this was John's first time with us we needed to see how he worked, especially as he only had short "approach" skis.

We parked in the car park and walked to the end of the piste and set off up the track to the mid station, following the basic line of the normal descent, just not cutting off the corners.

From the mid station we continued across the ski area heading for the col de Balme, keeping to the off-piste sections where possible.

There was a bit of wind coming over, but the brilliantly hot day kept the chill off, and we had magic views down the Chamonix valley.

From the col (and the refuge) we headed up the frontier ridge (well really it as a slope) making for the summit.

Dave's shot on the summit

A long pause (mainly for Dave to set up a stand for his camera on his skis). and we took off down the direct route..  to snow was excellent, with the surface soft enough to get great purchase, and more importantly the crust had softened up so the could use the solid base.

Before too long we were back at the car and then sitting outside the tents having a brew, talking over old tales, and long forgotten exploits.

2001 Spring Ski Tour, France

After missing out last year, the planning for this time was a little more intensive. We had also had a message from Dave that he would be visiting Europe for work , and it would be great to combine these events, and have a reunion.

So the plan was that we would start off in Chamonix, and aim to get fit then do a few days of the Chamonix to Zermatt tour, should the weather and fitness allow.

Setting off there was Bryon Chris and I, together with Dave, and for the first time John.

We did the usual driving shifts and reached Chamonix at mid day, and after collecting the requisite insurance and additional gear we headed out to Les Praz. In prior years we had used the Camping "les Drus", and we set up camp here and prepared for tomorrow.

Trip Time Line

	|
	|	Arrive Chamonix
Tete de Balme	|
	|	Grands Montets
Rain Day	|
	|	Brevant
Col de Berard	|
	|	Grands Montets
Retreat	|
	|	Go Home