Chamonix High Mountain Report: 9th February 2015

I spent a great few days again around Le Tour, finding especially amazing snow down from point Croix de Fer in a brief bright spell as well as though the trees towards Vallorcine from the Posettes drag. With visibility being low during the multiday storm, I revisited my favourite spots in Flegere- the highlight being hiking up part of the Floria drag, sking a short couloir to the right, then another to the left of the piste corner, followed by an adventurous descent all the way down to Lavancher through more trees.

We were blown away by about six consecutive steep pillowed fields, each reaching a choke requiring some rummaging to the right to open up the next. The line was seriously good fun (so much so it swallowed my go-pro during one of the many gleeful drops, and hence lost some probably great photos and footage) but care needs to be taken to avoid the Le Joux climbing cliffs if you go exploring there. We popped out near the Chauffria Monolith and onto the Petit Balcon where you can return to Flegere or get the bus from Lavancher. 

Other spots we visited during low vis days were the trees below Montenvers train and the fields below Plan d’Aiguille. The avalanche risk was Cat:4 during this time so these spots were the reserved option, yet there was still an avalanche burial from Plan d’Aiguille, which goes to show how unstable the new snow pack is, given these are well frequented and mainly tree covered areas.

With a few clearer days towards the end of the week, people poked their noses around other areas in search of more of the fresh stuff. Col du Dard and Belvedere were regularly enjoyed by tourers in the Aiguilles Rouges, and why not? South facing, skiing into the sun, more chance of settled consolidated snow, big views… not a hard sell. Friends also went touring up near the peaceful end of the valley to Chalet Loriaz - a great option for a more secluded and varied ski.

The Vallee Blanche has officially been opened with the hand rail in place and is now seeing guided descents. Joel reports that there was great skiing around the Rognon, but the bottom exit is still a ‘think light thoughts’ affair, requiring skiers to descend over slabs and bridges. Being roped up is often necessary. 

The coming week promises a high pressure and mainly clear skies. This will be accompanied with strong winds up high so once again, wind loaded slopes and less frequented areas will be worth noting when planning back country trips, even a week after new snow fall.

Climbers will no doubt be happy to see a high pressure and conditions up high are likely to be pretty good, but access to certain routes will no doubt be difficult or too dangerous. I went for an unnecessarily spooky climb at La Cremerie on Friday, finding thin ice, covering powder snow, then the actual ice. Not really worth it at the moment but all good training if you plan on climbing icy-snow ice.

There is plenty of fun to be had out there, check the Chamlines guys out this week skiing a super couloir from Bochard at GM.

Enjoy and ski safe oot dare! 

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NB: Off piste skiing and mountaineering are dangerous. The opinions expressed in these articles are very much time and condition specific and the content is not intended in any way to be a substitute for hiring a mountain guide, undergoing professional mountaineering training and/or the individual's own back country decision making.