Reconnaissance & retreat, Switzerland

We wake up and it is raining ... there is a snow line 50m above Bourg St Pierre. Nothing is going to happen today. A lay in for an hour then a leisurely breakfast and we pack to leave the motel ... the idea was to have a look at Les Diablerettes then check the weather and find a new location ... maybe Simplon Pass

Checking out and talking to the lady behind the counter she indicated there had been 36cm of snow at the hospis .... this was game changing, but also worth a look see.

This is the car park ...  yesterday it was clear ...  all this coving had fallen over night. This would make the mountains dangerous for several days and the avalanche risk high ...

Around at Les Diablerettes ...  we found the main lift and also viewed the access etc ...  the lift was shut .. it seems at this time of year it is only open at weekends!!!

It is still raining/ snowing and the road up to the lift had only just been ploughed.

Another check of the forecast showed that it would keep raining for several days ... maybe sorting itself out for Easter weekend ...  too late for us, and we would just waste money staying around for flat light piste skiing ...  the car was pointed to Calais and we set off home.
We made the final MyFerry ferry of the day and arrived home in the early hours ...  sad about the early end, but hind sight shows it was a good decision. The weather did not clear all week.

Grands St Bernard Hospis, Switzerland

The weather forecast was getting worse and today was due to be cloudy all day, before rain for the next couple.
Time to snack another route ...  we had been descending in flat light for several routes now so that would be OK, we just needed a route low down so we could see to go up.

The hospis would fit the bill  .... 600m ascent and and easy route if the cloud did come down. with poles showing the way.

Back up to the car park, ...  not so full today ... and prepared to go back up the track again.

As we followed the track up the windy valley, past the mushroom breathing tubes for the tunnel.the skies cleared a little, the with clouds sticking to the tops and the valley had some sun.

When we reached the little hut (at the junction where the routes to the Barassonne ridge leave), the sun was fully out and we enjoyed the heat.

We were taken with this sign ... either a lot of snow or a small pole?

Then around the corner to the right and we could see the hospis, and the sting in the tail.

Flogging up the final slopes, and the reward of the view into Italy.

We retired to the servery for coffee and march tea ... much needed re-hydration, as well as a good photo opportunity.

All served as a reminder to make the effort to book in here in future (well in advance)

Emerging from the hospis, the clouds had returned with a vengeance ..  flat light again, but we had some contrast with the rocks, and also that the route was basically a track bed.

Back to the motel and another repeat of the bottle watching. Outside the rain started.

Mont Telliers, Switzerland

The sky was blue, the sun would rise, there had been a sharp frost overnight.. all looked good, the forecast predicted low cloud in the afternoon, so we set off with a happy heart to the car park by the tunnel.

We were not a lone, and had to settle for a spot below the cafe ...  it seemed like many people had similar ideas to us.
We had left our boots in the car overnight .... mistake .. cold boots = pain. Overcoming this we were soon heading up the track, taking the route we had used a number of times before. Today's target was Mont Telliers ...  Bryon, Chris and I had tried a number of years ago and only reached the col des chaux, then Bryon and I ran into sever weateher the next time, and only got to above the col du basillon, so this was "unfinished" business.

First target ... into the valley above and go to the end.... leaving the main trail to the hospis after the first series of bends.
Heading up the steep slopes to easier ground above.

After the initial shock of the steep section, everything levels out and the path follows this hanging valley to the end below the skyline

As you arrive at the end of the valley you can see a shoulder appear on the right hand side ..  previously we had gone around the back, but this time the tracked route went over it ...  they all meet up again on the next plateau

the next steep section over, and we are not even half way up the vertical yet! even though it feels like we should be nearly there.

Now at last we can see the target in all its splendour ...  as well as the track to the top.
We would cut across the plateau to the rib ascending diagonally left to right on the face, before curving back to the left and the summit.

the long flog over the plateau gave us plenty of time to see our other high points. the last being the obvious step in the ridge.

We cut under the rib and came around to it from the right, the followed it up to the next steep section that lead over the rocky part.

Now we were making progress ...  the summit cone left.
However we could now see the clouds building above, and making a cover of the highest points.

As we went up the final section, it looked as if all the parties were congregating ... some had taken other routes, but things got busy!

The ski depot just under the top was crowded, and we found a spot to take the skis off.  We were exposed to the wind here, and there were some terrific gusts .. so we had to be careful with the skis so we retained control.

As time to go approached ...  the cloud cover was complete...  we moved out of the way of the others so we had room to manoeuvre, even so ... one of the largest parties started skiing and popped one off ... luckily it stopped 50m down, but it was an anxious time for them.

As we prepared to follow, Chris looked anxiously at me not sure, but soon followed. We had some problems where the party below had got into difficulties, but a short wait and we were away again

Flat light, low visibility and no horizon ... not a good combination. So we followed the large party down the summit slopes. They then stopped to gather and we passed them and went for it down a safe slope to the left ... not the way we had come up but a gully around the side., then back around to meet the trails across the plateau.

Then the middle steep section, where we had some breaks in the cloud and could see, as well as nice snow under ski.

Finally the last section where from the past I knew there would be fun to be had, and the cloud sufficiently high to allow less flatness to the light.

At the boulders in the stream bed, before rising to the hospis path, we stopped for a break and some food..  almost sunny, and pleasant memories.

As we got back to the car we saw a number of helicopters coming in and out ...  we later found out there had been a fatal avalanche on Mt Velan - the other side of the main valley to us.
A reminder to be vigilant.

Then back to the Bivouac to repeat the night before...  glass watching, reading and eating.