| 06.04.09 -
SKIING AROUND CHAMONIX
Bird’s eye view from the Col du Tour Noir
of Haute Routers approaching the Fenêtre de Saleina.
Just back from six days magnificent skiing around
Chamonix. Apart from the usual bashing up and down the
Grands Montets, Edmond and I did a few ski tours, in the
company of the Alpine Club’s Honorary Secretary,
Françoise Call, Alan Scowcroft and others.
The longest climb was to the Col du Tour Noir, with
950 metres of ascent – the same as from the South Col to
the summit of Everest. Even though this col is only 3500
metres above sea level, most of us felt the altitude and
it was a long, hot slog. But how fantastic to spend the
whole day in brilliant sunshine, far above the cloud
inversion covering the valleys all the way to Geneva and
beyond. We were rewarded with stunning views from the
col and a delicious descent, once the initial porridge
had lightened to slightly more manageable snow. The
final trundle back down the Argentiere Glacier was
enlivened by one person taking a wrong turn and falling
three metres into a crevasse. Luckily the landing –
cushioned by the collapsed snowbridge – was soft and he
was unhurt, and we were able to pull the victim out
before dusk.
Man in crevasse.
Françoise, Alan and Neville pulling man
out of crevasse.
Escape!
The snow was fluffier in the Vallée Blanche, where we
traversed right round to the Noir Vierge variation,
which has some nice steep powder down the right bank of
the infamous Géant Icefall.
Then Edmond and I had a short day in the Aiguilles
Rouges, with an easy one hour skin from the Index
chairlift to the Col des Crochues. Wonderful to leave
the noise and crowds and descend into the wild valley on
the far side, before climbing again, briefly, to the Col
de Berard. The final run down the Berard valley was pure
delight – gorgeous, creamy spring snow in the huge upper
bowl, followed by a winding trail through the larch
forest, all the way down to the bar in Le Buet.
Charlotte Call in the Vallée Blanche,
Noir Vierge variation.
Edmond Venables on the traverse from the
Col des Crochues to Col de Berard.
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