We need more snow!!!
The weather this winter must be unprecedented. There has been no new snowfall for at least a month, with blue sunny skies every day. The slopes are in desperate need of fresh snow – both on and off piste. All the powder has gone, the pistes are icy and the off piste is crusty. Consequently, Cate and I have virtually given up on “proper” skiing, and have got our skins out for some serious walking in the mountains… and it has been beautiful.
It has been lovely to get out into the mountains and (especially now the half term holidays have started) get away from the crowds. Over the last couple of weeks we have completed an extended tour de Charvet route up in Val d’Isère, walked to the Ruitor hut from La Mazure, walked to Pre St Esprit and Arc 1950 (twice!), tucking into a delicious plate of oysters in the Vache Rouge restaurant in Les Arcs to reward ourselves for the exertion! We have also walked to the Leisse hut for a picnic lunch and skied the Piste Perdu in Val. Finally we decided to take ourselves out of our comfort zone – in all respects – and try an overnight tour to the Femma refuge.
Every day has been special, and we certainly hope our exertions are getting us fitter. Our overnight tour to the Femma hut was, however, extra special. We thought we should try something completely new, and chose a route that took us from the Grande Motte down to the Leisse hut (which we have done before), then skinning up the north facing slope opposite the Leisse hut to the Col de Pierre Blanche. Once over that we descended to the Femma hut on a giant traverse across the South facing lower slopes of the Roc Blanc massif. Conditions on the descent, it has to be said, were truly horrible! The sun had softened the snow to a deep slush that was almost impossible to turn in. We poled, side-slipped and dragged ourselves through the slush and eventually reached the hut. Despite the snow conditions, the views were magnificent and the feeling of being alone in the vast mountain range was great. Sightings of female Ibex and the white Rock Ptarmigan were extra bonuses.
We were expecting the hut to be unmanned, and had brought food and drink for the night, but were surprised to find the Guardians in residence, with another couple of skiers expected that night. At least it meant the hut had been heated! The night was, like every night for the past month, cold and clear, so I took the opportunity to experiment with a little video of the the night sky with my new 360 camera! The next morning we were up early for a skin up to the Col de la Rocheure then a long descent past the Mont Roup and down into the Charvet valley before rejoining the resort (and the holiday crowds!) at the Manchet chairlift in Val d’Isère.
After all this effort, today we have taken a day off. Tonight our friends John and Beth, with two of their daughters – Rosie and Tilda – join us and we will be back hunting for some decent snow. Surely the weather must change and bring some fresh snow soon…
Fantastic scenery ( but why am I surprised I was there but two weeks ago!) and despite the conditions it must be great to be out and about in relative safety. To improve things for you I’ll get out my rubber gloves and sink plunger and carry out my snow dance though it’s quite uncomfortable for me! Xx
Thanks Gary,
All efforts to bring snow greatly appreciated! Not sure what sort of snow will be enticed by rubber gloves and a plunger, though – definitely of the off-piste variety!