Col de Menovre, Switzerland

Our last effective day here ... tomorrow the forecast is for 90-100 kph winds, and the days after have low cloud snow and rain.

All the visits we had made here were towards the hospis ... however the old piste (old as in no longer used as opposed to closed for the season) goes up to a col towards Italy with an option to jump over to the hospis valley.

We walked up the summer road until we could get onto skis .. retrospect would show that it was a little early, but it was a likely line.

The line was a little steep on the frozen hard pack, and we soon traversed to easier ground to our left.

this easier line soon relaxes adn we head for a dip on hte shortened skyline.

This just maneuvered around the end of the moraine, with a steep gorge on the right...  objective danger relieved by the snowboard track we were following which had cut a nice line.

We do not yet see the end of the old lift line, but the wind starts to consolidate.

At the end of the upper combe ...  the old lift line goes straight to the ridge, with a gradually steepenign bowls and looks to have a steep finish.

The wind is relentless at this point ...  chilling everything ...  we are still in the shade as the sun has yet to show over the left ridge.

I am working on short targets to keep moving, but if the chaser behind was not catching quickly I am sure we would be talking about turning around. We were very fit by now, but still put in our place by what turned out to be a local.

Ski crampons on ...  the snow is a little hard packed in places.. and it would be awkward to put them on higher up.

We are just starting up the steeper section.

However all the various lines people have been taking before now consolidate,  bad a few obvious tracks help the climb.

Although the climb was steeper, it was easier as we were following a track.

We are now beyond the last target point ... the chaser is now ahead of us and seems to be making good progress.

As we move over the steep slope to upper curve as it lessens. the wind starts to ease up a little.

Closer to the top and looking at the old buildings , there is a nice shadow from the wind here

There was a hollow just before the ridge, nestling against the buildings in various states of decay, and the long view back down to the barrage below ad the route we had come up.

Up on the col, the wind was still not vicious, and we could look down into Italy (in the clouds).

A convenient sign shows the way. There does seem to be a number or circuits that go from the hospis around the Italian sides and back over the cols, or the reverse.

We took a look up the other track to the col over to the hospis valley.
A decaying infrastructure.

Looking down the col  ...  a dubious descent to the hut then around to the left ..  after this the slope became easier.

A leisurely change over from ascent mode to descent mode .. for the first time there is no wind to rush us.

The top is transformed with a light dusting on top ...  fantastic skiing

The middle section got a little crusty for a while, but this just concentrated the mind, before it eased up and we were back on powder and more fantastic skiing.

As the slope eased up the skiing still remained brilliant

What a descent ...  this is the best run down for a long while - a day to dream of.

Even the run over the gorge and down the final slopes was in good condition ...  we had the timing exactly right. And the wind ..  once we started the descent it increased to its previous intensity, however we did not notice at all during the descent.

So the end of this years trip .. time to dry off and pack up... then the long run home ...

We eventually got to Calais for the 1 am ferry, after continuous driving, only a rest for dinner.

The weather forecast proved correct ...  the remainder of the week was wet and low cloud.

Mont Mort, Switzerland

The weather was closing down later this week...  the forecast was for very high winds followed by days of  low cloud and rain/ snow.

Any thought of heading high for the final part of the haute route jigsaw was soon shelved and we chose to stay around for the last of the better weather.

We had seen people traversing across and up the North face of the mountain next to the refuge. Ubiquitously called Mont Mort.

We parked in the usual spot and headed back up the track ...  there was slight distraction at the first way point, where and emergency stop for weight loss was called for, however there were no lasting impact, and we were soon at the base of the face.

As we looked at the hospis we started angling up across the base of the obvious line.  This was a long run out leading to a traverse under some rocks towards the round top above the hospis

The lower slopes were relatively steep, however it was the traverse that caused the most trepidation ... hard pack  and loose snow crossing a steep slope with limited grip.

We did have a moment to reflect before turning around the bowl and heading for the slightly calmer upper slope.

The route followed this upper slope in a staggered rising zigzag. The weather was relatively hot with only a mild breeze at this point.

The previous participants on this route had cut several tracks and it made ascent a little easier.

It had not looked such a long face from below ...  but it just kept on and on.

 A little more definition as we got higher, and we started to see the goal ...  the col between the two summits.

The Col came into full view, with the logical path curving around to the left, then back again.

The col was a very sharp edge, with a steep approach and very little resting places.

However there was a howling gale coming over that was not conducive to hanging around for any longer than a quick photo

Looking south over the col.

Whilst I stayed close to the top Bryon dropped down a little ...  whipping the skins off an preparing for descent took very little time, and before we came too cold we were ready for the descent.

We were a little reserved about the descent, however this was all dismissed within the first few turns ..  the surface was good and the powder gentle.
Fantastic surface, and we very soon dropped back to the small flat above the hospis.

From here we wanted to drop directly to the hospis, and avoid the traverse. ..

Not a good decision in retrospect .. the surface was hard packed and much like the early days of this trip.

Once down at the hospis, we picked up the standard route back to the road head.

We took the "alternative" side of the river down as far as we could ...this will not be here for much longer.

It also gave us good views back to the summit.

Back at the van ... excellent descent, made up for the challenges of the ascent .... We needed a few more metres to do 1000 m in the day. A quick explore up the tracks of the old lift system. and views down the valley.