Pouring with rain as we woke up with no signs of it letting up before the end
of the day, although it was supposed to alter in intensity. After much debate
Steph and I settled to see if we could push yesterday's exploration a little
further and reach the barrage of Lac de St.-Guerin. This time we would take
the skis and see if we could follow the path over the fields to get to the
snow plough limit after that it should be simple touring along the dam access
road. We would get wet, but be out of the apartment, and relieved from
watching the snow disappear from the slopes all around.
Essentially we would repeat yesterday's route with a few deviation to see if
we could stay on the snow longer.
This time we followed the road up through the village and keeping away from the
stream this time and staying on the road. We turned off when we reached the
access road to the first farm (where we had emerged yesterday from under the
bridge)
We put the skis on here and ascended the path beside the farm and its buildings.
It was still raining, but just a drizzle at this point.
We crossed the field to the road above (as we did yesterday), only this time we
walked along the road to the next corner so we could get a longer run on the
snow. By now it was raining heavily and we were fully cocooned in the
waterproofs.
We angled across the slope so we passed all the further loops and came out onto
the road close to the point from yesterday. The snow underfoot was soaked, and
disappearing.
Carrying the skis now along the road past the barrier and up to the limit of the
plough, where we could put them back on our feet.
The skis were definitely easier to walk along the road and we could ascend side
by side (not something that was usual for us).
We soon passed the hut, that was our high point yesterday and we continued along
the road. At a sharp turn we also passed the Fenetre de l'Ami - another access
tunnel to the water collection system. The rain had eased a little, but we were
already wet but the waterproofs kept us warm while we moved.
Around the corner we passed the Chapelle St Guerin (with several tepees outside
- I believe there was also one in the woods as I could see smoke). Ahead we
moved through the, now empty, village.
Above the village was a number of ski tracks coming down, but we continued along
the road (now just a smaller trace as we would find out later - most took the
shortcut)
Along the track finally seeing a glimpse of the dam through the now heavy snow
flakes. It was also colder and I struggled to put on my gloves over cold, wet
fingers. As we approached the dam - hidden in the trees - the track became quite flat.
The road turned sharply at the bottom of the dam, well as far as the gate. Then
climbing the road back above the way we had come.
At the next hairpin we could see where the ski tracks we had seen earlier came
from. A tricky stream crossing to access the open slope as we would find out
later.
Back along the upper road to the top of the dam - close to the dam the trees
gave way up slope to cliffs. Finally seeing a better view of the dam.
At the edge of the dam was a large car park area (now covered in snow), and a
viewing area. The lake spread out below us - the tour de Beaufortain goes aroudn
three side (including the dam). In the far left corner is access to the Cormet
D'Areches.
We could look over the top of the dam beside a number of information boards - I
think that in summer there is also access down to the dam to walk over it.
We crossed over the car park and sheltered behind the composting toilet building
- unfortunately the building was locked, otherwise we could have got completely
out of the weather despite any smell. There were some wind ruffles around and
the snow flurries grew larger then receded in a rhythm. Getting the skins off
and the skis ready for downhill was a challenge with frozen fingers and wet
gloves, but with the help of some hot coffee from the flask we eventually were
ready for the descent.
Leaving our shelter, we eased off down the track - the gradient was not sever so
we were able to ski straight down our access tracks. At the corner we crossed
the stream (well I did manage to get both skis in the water at one point where
the snow collapsed at one side). Then across onto the the open slopes.
The slope gave some good skiing - wet but not too heavy - and it did save any polling along the track from the dam.
back on the dam road at the village of L'Ami and the chapelle we straight-lined it down to the end of the snow. By now it was raining heavily once again and the road had lost all its snow from now down to Areches village, and looking at the meadows we had skinned up they were also very green and we did not fancy grass skiing, so in the same manner as yesterday we put the skis onto our packs and walked down to the village.
The final impact from the day was as we walked past the café from yesterday, the barman came past and asked us "why!", just "why!". - We were drowned rats and relieved to be able to get changed and warm up in the apartment. We had discovered another new area to explore and also where to park to access it, and come out of a real soaking (although it did take all night in a heated room to dry out all our kit).
