After yesterday's testing out of the snow conditions and the stability
of the snow, Steph and I chose to test out our climbing legs today. The
weather was quite warm (around freezing level) but the snow was down to the
village. Overhead the sky was covered in cloud, although there was no forecast
of precipitation for today.
We, once again walked down through the village to the Grand Mont lift - the idea
was to skin up to the intermediate station then jump on the "Trace Rouge" - a
marked out route up to the top chair (Bonnets Rouge) station. We would follow
this route until our legs told us it was time to descend. The big question with
ski touring is always how much effort will need to be saved for the descent and
how can this be saved.
Starting beside the lift and climbing up the slope behind, we continued on the
track ascending to the right of the lift route, into the first bank of trees.
The track zigzagged back under the chair lift and came out near some scattered
chalets in a pasture above the village. Two snowshoe people came up behind us
and we sped up to keep ahead so they did not walk all over the trace we were
following.
Leaving the two walkers behind as they turned back to the village, we continued
to climb past several more chalets aiming back towards the lift (now hidden in
the trees).
A pause before the first steeper section that led up to the point the chair lift
exited the woods. Behind us we could see that the Col du Pre was not in good
condition for a tour as it was nearly bare on the main route. However here there
was still enough for a few hardy souls to have descended the previous day.
We made use of a track to the side of the slope that zigzagged through a small
coppice before returning to the main slope. Then slightly easier up to the point
the chair lift came out of the woods.
Crossing under the chair and the beginning of the steepest section. The best
route up this changes all the time and we searched for previous climbers traces
to help us decide. In the end we stayed mainly towards the right, but a couple
of zigzags went over the whole slope.
Coming off the top of the steep section the slope curves more gently as it
approaches the middle station, and the trail merges with a snowshoe track around
the plateau.
Just beside the intermediate station (and restaurant) was the beginning of the
Trace Rouge, as well as several snowshoe trails. The start was marked by a large
map board as well as a ARVA testing station, which we had to walk past and
double check our devices.
Now following the fluorescent yellow poles Steph led off into the trees on the
right of the Bonnets Rouge piste - sufficiently far away that tit was invisible
to the tourers (and vice versa).
The trail zigzags up through the trees to climb the slope to a point where it
eases up.
A slight compromise as the path follows the edge of the piste up to a corner,
where we once again parted company and climbed up through the trees at the
end.
This track led to one o f the areas that I used too really enjoy - a small area
of off-piste that the blue piste curves around. However it is now over used and
even marked on the piste map. Anyway the trace rouge crosses over this area
(staying mainly to the side), aiming for the point where the chair lift goes
over the horizon.
The track crossed under the chair lift and climbed up to the ridge, before
turning back to the pylon carrying it over the ridge into the next bowl.
At this point we chose to leave the Trace Rouge and cut up the side of the tete
de Cuvy - the little top above us. We had been here several years ago and knew
it had an orientation table on top and would be an idea place to stop for
lunch.
At the table we stopped for lunch and also to change over from uphill to
downhill
Looking East over the valley with the Guerin lake in it towards the Cormet
D'Areches.
Looking West over Le Planay toward Mont Mirantin.
A cautious descent down from the summit to the off-piste area. This was soft and
slightly wet powder and enjoyable with care, however once we got to the part
which had been much used, then it all turned difficult. Here the previous tracks
had frozen overnight and caused a variable surface and challenging skiing, so we
opted to drop onto the piste to return to the intermediate station.
From the intermediate station our route took us down the same way as the
previous day (the red liaison to Le Planay then the track back to Areches).
A brief stop at the Telemark bar for chips and coffee (and to rest the aching legs ) before the final ski back to Areches.
Arriving back in the car park below where we had started the day. It was noticeable how much had melted during our route, and verified the decision not to follow the ascent route back but take the easier skiing down the piste.
By chance we met Bryon and Jenny at the car park ... and we walked back to the apartment together. A thousand meters of ascent and a summit - a good day.
