Friday, 10 April 2009

Vanoise touring

Just back from 5 days touring in the Vanoise between Val D'Isere and Pralognan with Jim, Anne, Bridget, John & Andy.
The team did a brilliant job coping with some very variable conditions, with everything from perfect spring snow & good powder through to 'hell-crust' and unskiable bottomless mush!!!

At the Fond des Fours refuge:



Skinning towards the Col du Pisset, Grande Sassiere behind:



Synchronised skinning:



John, Anne & Jim at the col, next days objective back left is the Pointe de la Sana:



View up the valley from the Femma hut (best cheese selection in the Alps!):



Heading up to the Pointe de la Sana:





Enjoying the spectacular views from the summit slope:



'Where has it all gone?' Bad timing for the summit...Jim trying to look at the view...:



Refuge du Plan du Lac, end of a long day skinning & navigating in a whiteout, and skiing some bottomless mush (good effort guys!!):



South face of the Grande Casse - 1500m of 45-55ยบ...not for tomorrow, but definitely on the hit list! Next days objective is the Col de la Vanoise down and left of the Grande Casse:



Early morning rays on the South face:



John at the 'meeting of waters', start of the skin up to the Col:



Working up to the col, Refuge du Plan du Lac just out of shot on the shoulder back right:



Happy team on the Col:



Grande Casse - the Grands Couloirs is the classic ski tour up this fine peak:



Enjoying great spring snow on the way down the Arollets valley:



Looking back up from Pralognan - time for the boots to come off at last!:

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