Thursday we woke to clear skies and not too cold (or were we just
getting used to it) - Today Steph and I wanted to go back to the Legette du
Mirantin or rather a bump on the ridge up to it. We had been up to the area
last year and ran out of time, so this was to see if we could get to the ridge
summit this time.
We drove up to Areches and around to Les Carroz, and parking on the side of the
road below a huge field above the road - we knew form last year that this was
where people parked for this route, and it saved the walk up from the ski car
park. This would be another step up for Toby, with a long day involving some
tight tracks and relatively avalanche safe wide slopes.
Climbing up around the first barn and into the field, then in long zigzags
above, across the field.
Around halfway up we met the sun beating down on us and warming the air temp
making layers come off.
The zigzags continued to the top of the slope where we transitioned into the woods at the side
The track into the woods went under some trees where it was a little bare underneath, then opened into a clearing with a chalet.
Beyond the chalet we climbed a short steep(ish) slope to another vehicle track into the woods
This track dropped to a little gulley to cross a stream, then into dense woods with a very packed trail.
A couople of obstacles on htis track - first two large trees across the track which stretched the knees to get under. Then a second stream - this time more tricky and needed to be crossed lower down than the track (I was not confident this would be transitable on the descent).
The track opened into another clearing with several chalets, still climbing up to the skyline.
The final slopes led up to more chalets on the ridge and time for a refreshment break. Climbing this slope we saw in excess of 19 people pass along the path that came up from Le Planay - I guess it was a club outing?.
Looking over to Grand Mont and the valley below with Le Planay.
Beyond these chalets we climbed a steep and heavily tracked with hard packed snow going into the trees.
We followed the track as it climbed and traversed the woods, however we did have to hold our ground when some early risers were descending. The track eventually emerged onto the slopes of the upper slopes.
We followed the trace as it curved around the bowl above, working up the left hand side (below the ridge). There were a number of scattered trees to be negotiated, but the major problem for Steph was that one of her risers kept collapsing.
We crossed to the ridge above the trees and climbing past our previous high point. We continued up to a plateau, where a col dropped down on the far side into the valley below Roche Plane. There was also a lonely hut on this col which we had been unable to reach last time.
The ridge continued upwards in a number of bumps - we were aiming for the last rounded one before it sharpened up
We followed the tracks as they climbed up the bumps in steep and gentle alternating slopes, up to a second col - this one at exactly 2000m. The large group was gathered her preparing for their descent - I was not sure if this was their high point or if they had gone further up.
We continued up the final bump - it was the same as the previous ones with a steep start then rounding off.
Our high point, with good views over to the Roche Plane and its col (definitely on the cards for another year)
Views to the south (including Areches and Le Planay slopes)
The other way beyond La Legette du Mirantin with its descent trails down the main slope.
After refreshments and food, it was time to transition the skis - Toby needed to scrape snow and ice away from the connectors.
Down the initial bumps finding a path through the tracks for fresh powder, down to the col with teh lonely hut.
Next the big bowl with sparse trees as we charged down to the limited entrance funnel into the plantation. With the limited avalanche risk here we all took separate lines meeting up at the bottom.
Along the track with tiring legs - more of a descending slide - then out onto the moguls above the chalets on the col above Le Planay. We stopped here for a brief rest and a little sugar.
Down the gentle slopes to the next set of cabins still in fantastic powder crisscrossed with tracks.
Next the top train trackback through the woods, negotiating the streams (one by taking the skis off and walking over , the second by a wide side step) and also the trees (low crouch). The track came out above the final chalet and had to gently negotiate the very icy and narrow track past.
Back into the woods and the shallower track - still fast on the packed snow and over the obstacles of the bare patches. Very thankfully this ended quickly at the top of the final pasture slope. Below was a cloud inversion covering the valley (starting part way down the slope).
When we stopped just above it our shadows played on the cloud wall - some with circular rainbows.
We ended up walking down the last slope, after crossing a driveway and down to the van (now surrounded by other vehicles parked either side of it for the same reason). Then back down to the apartment without coming out of the fog.
