Friday - our last ski day - and we woke to cloud cover in the valley, however
up the road was crystal clear day, and as we drove up the sun was shining onto
our destination - Grand Mont. This promised a bright sunny day for the now
traditional ascent of the "big" mountain.
Steph, Toby and I (we could not persuade Bryon - we believed he had a lunch appointment) planned to ride the lift to the Rando 2000 start following the blue trace up to the col de la Forclaz then up the ridge to the summit.
The second lift rose up into the sun as it crossed over into the top bowl adb we were warming up as we arrived at the top station. Time to de-layer and to prepare the skis for the ascent up the blue rando trace.
Toby led off up the trail as we repeated the route from earlier in the week. Climbing over the ridge into the upper bowl.
Along the bumps of the ridge alternating between the piste and the outer sides.
A big sweep around to the base of the high point on this ridge (we traversed under it)
Around the final bowl and up to the col de la Forclaz - this was where we had turned around on our initiation route for Toby.
From the col Steph took over in front and we crossed over to the ridge up to Grand Mont. From here there is a steep step up to the next bowl.
Inside the lower bowl - the ridge is very broad on this side below a rugged edge above to our right. At the head of the bowl a climb into the second bowl.
In the second bowl, we could choose to continue straight up to a notch on the ridge ahead and turn right along it, or to turn earlier and follow the descent route up. We chose to go for the notch with its longer, gentler climb.
Up onto the ridge - not acute, leading up to the top of Grand Mont but with bumps that we traversed to the right
Our first view over the peaks to the south (down there is the mass of the Trois Vallee). It was also where we caught sight of the massive cloud inversion and the peaks sticking out.
We continued along the ridge and up tot eh final bump. Here we knew from previous visits that there would be an awkward step. This changes each year dependant on the conditions .
This year involved a climb higher and a traverse across into the dip with a slight descent, before a much longer and steeper skinning descent to the bottom of the final slope up to the summit. A different take on the usual scarry traverse through rocks
A simple climb up the final slopes to the broad summit.
Group phot at the summit cross looking over the sea of cloud beyond with the peaks as islands poking through.
the 360 view
A break for refreshment and food, before the transition - the board still takes longer and more complex than the skis. and a final look at the amazing view to the south.
The first section was to drop to the "bad step", and a sidestep climb up the other side until we could traverse across the other side onto the top of the ridge we had climbed up.
We took the descent down the gully - the ascent route we had avoided on the way up. Toby bouncing around on this soft powder, while Steph and I followed more sedentary.
Down into the second bowl and a traverse to the top of the lower one. Toby got a little low and had to work around a bit more. The lower bowl was a straight run to the drop at the col.
Down to the col and around to the col above the ski area.
Continuing in the off-piste that surrounded the ascent route until we were forced onto the piste.
Across the piste and some milder powder before using the blue piste to get back to the top chair lift station.
Back on the off-piste below the chair - first the upper section. there was only loose powder in the flatter sections.
Then into the lower "play area" section. This was very piste like as it had been skied all over.
The playing around finished (almost) when we reached the middle station and the top of the red run down to Le Planay. Here we posed for a picture beside a piste sign - we had just finished the difficult part and this was a simpler run down the piste!
Toby did drop off the piste at one point, but Steph and I opted out - it was a it tight for skis and Toby did report it was also a little bare in patches. The steep section of the red piste was very icy, but no problem as it was almost empty.
At the bottom of the steep section we were back in the shade and hurried down the flatter section and through some low cloud back to Le Planay village.
We stopped at the Telemark bar (this has become a habit it seems) for coffee/ coke and chips - once again one plate satisfied all three of us.
Then to complete the summit to car park descent we continued down the liaison piste (still closed). Back at the van for the final brush down and pack away of equipment (tomorrow Steph and I would head back with Sue and KT. Toby took his split board back to the rental shop, as he would be back on a normal board tomorrow.
Before we left Areches, i took the opportunity to explore the route out of the top of the village towards Lac de St. Guerin. I chickened out at the point where the snowplough had turned around, although if we had winter tires we could have continued a bit further along. I still do not know where people park up for routes along that valley - something for another year.
