Winter 2013-14
Brèche Puiseux, a traverse within the Mont Blanc Massif – 7th April 2014
Booting-up the big couloir that leads to the brèche
Skinning-up the Périades glacier, up from the Vallée Blanche
An abseil down the other side leads finally to skiing again, this time on the Mallet glacier
The snow had been well warmed by the sun…but the scenery was still spectacular, skiing beneath the great north wall of the Grandes Jorasses
Le pouce… the Thumb Couloir, above Grimentz – 1st April 2014
The view of the Pouce Couloir is quite clear up the valley from Grimentz
Ski-touring round to the top of the couloir from the Becs des Bosson
Looking down the line of the couloir…
Sunshine on the top section
A snowy Haute Route – 28th March 2014
Booting up the icy section on the Pigne d’Arolla
Arriving at the final col of the tour before the descent into Zermattt
Skiing beneath the Dent d’Herens…
…and the Matterhorn, en route to Zermatt
On and around Mont Blanc de Cheilon – 19th March 2014
In the central Valais Alps, the Cabane des Dix makes for a useful central base to run day-tours from. Mont Blanc de Cheilon dominates the view, as do all the glaciers and other peaks that lend themselves to fine ski-touring and great ski descents.
Heading up the Cheilon itself… The ski-touring route heads up a glacier route around to the right of the peak. Here we attained the skier’s ‘winter summit’ – the true summit is a bit trickier and best left for summer alpinists!
An atmospheric journey skinning up beneath les Ruinettes
The view from the winter summit, looking past the Pigne d’Arolla and the Matterhorn
To get back to our starting point of Arolla, and to avoid the infamous ladders at the Pas de Chevre, we found a different route over the ridge which gave us access to a great final slope to ski, on reasonable snow, before joining the Arolla ski pistes back to the village.
Mont Fourchon, above the Grand St Bernard Pass – 2nd March 2014
Ski-touring based out of the Grand St Bernard Hospice on the Swiss/Italian border. A few days of cloud and snow but with one fine day in the middle where we were able climb a peak, Mont Fourchon, and make the most of the touring and skiing conditions.
Emerging from the cloud, and the avalanche tunnel…
High above the cloud, that still covers the pass, on the slopes of Mont Fourchon
On the summit… the Grandes Jorasses and Mont Blanc in the background
Setting off back down
Ski tour on Pointe Ronde – 31st January
After a week of snow and cloud it was great to have a clear day for this ski tour that climbs high above Martigny and the Rhone Valley in Switzerland.
On the Croix des Prélayes – 24th January
Inclement weather at our high point on the ridge
…but some great snow through the trees for the descent
To the hill fort on Punte Croche – 23rd January
A more mellow day heading up amongst the trees and frozen lake to Punte Croche in the Valle d’Aoste
Happy to be in descent mode as the weather rolls in
The Col d’Argentière and the Tour Noir Glacier – 22nd January 2014
Looking up the Argentière Glacier
Skinning up the glacier becomes hard work as the altitude kicks in…
Nice fresh tracks for the descent
… a great reward for all the hard work!
Happy to be skiing again!
The sun doesn’t last long in January as we ski further down the glacier
Nice snow and skiing on the Vallée Blanche – 30th December 2013
What might happen if you don’t pay attention…