After our quick reconnaissance yesterday morning, we were all packed up early and ready to explore Flaine's big back yard - The Desert De Plate. This is a huge horseshoe shaped valley dropping away to the north. The peaks enclosing the valley are in the 2500 - 2700m range and their slopes are mainly, E, N & West facing, making it an ideal area for ski touring.
My fears of a really unstable snowpack were allayed yesterday and it looks like we'll have the opportunity to do many different tours during our remaining days here. Also today, while still warm, the intensity of the sun was tamed by some thin high cloud. This should further reduce any wet slide problems!
Our first ski tour in this area was with Christoph (our funny french guide) back at the end of January. In contrast to the conditions now, back then we were skiing powder snow all the way to the valley floor!
Spring skiing is great fun. Generally fairly low avalanche risk and if your timing is right, you get some great skiing on spring corn by late morning.
Today's tour took me to the Col de la Portette (2354m) for a look over into another south-west facing bowl. From the Col, I could see a cute summer Refuge - Chalets de Plate. I keep referring to this part of our tour in the first person... because it seemed that there was some reluctance on the part of my "learned leader" to make the climb. On reaching the Col, I was very surprised to find that Graeme still had the contents of his pack strewn out on the snow.
Fortunately, the Oxleys are equipped with some very handy walkie-talkies. These are perfect items for being able to politely inquire of your partner, "What the @**!, are you still doing down there?" Even more polite banter continued as he advised me to come back down again as his planned route had changed. Hmmmm!! How kind of him to allow me such a wonderful opportunity for extra exercise. Graeme can be considerate like that!!
2/ The breath-taking cliff and views to Mont Blanc.
Well at least my dear Graeme's alternate plan found some great views and good spring corn. Skinning up again to the edge of the mountain ridge, we were able to look over the sheer cliff to the towns in the "l'Arve" valley - Passy, Servoz and Sallanches. We could see the busy Chamonix autoroute with it's massive viaduct winding it's way through the narrow valley far below us. To the SE, Mont Blanc dominated the horizon.
We'd made good time and despite the good views it was too early for lunch. And besides which, spring skiing is all about timing. The snow for our run back down was in perfect condition. Still firm with a lovely layer of "cream cheese" corn snow on top. With the heat of the day increasing rapidly, all could change in minutes.
Wooohooo! Of we go! Down for our picnic. Here's the footage!
3/ Understandably given the Col debacle, I had rights to first tracks on this run!!
4/ That was nice!
And the best part of a European ski touring day? The cold Panache (Shandy) after the long, hot skin back into the resort around 2pm. Actually, if I think about it, a cold Brewski from the back of Pick's truck after a similar TC tour - ain't half bad either!
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