Just had a great last 3 days with some amazing spring riding.
Tuesday saw us hike up the Col du Passon which was surprisingly good and untracked over towards the Le Tour Glacier and the snow smooth perfect spring corn the whole way down.
Wednesday the forecast wasn't so good so I opted for a day at Le Tour rather than hiking. The sun soon shone through though and so we did a quick hike up and got in a run down the South Face of the Tete du Balm. The conditions were once again perfect so we got the midday bus back around and hiked up the Autannes ridge to drop into a perfect untracked face that we had scoped out on the first run and headed again down to Trient for the last bus. Another great day in the bag and a total bonus considering the forecast.
Today (Thursday) we hiked the Col du Bueagean. We didn't take snowshoes as it was clear night and so should have frozen but unfortunately it hadn't so we had to wade around to Lac Blanc and onwards up to the rock climb unp to the Col post holeing knee deep with every step. The climb took about 4 hours hard labour. The rock pitch is now free of snow and was great fun and after a quick rest and a bite to eat we were all back on form and ready for the ride.
Once again the snow was perfect untracked spring corn, we took the right hand variant and made fresh turns all the way into the Berard valley finishing up in Le Buet for a well earned refreshment.
Tim and Joe, the 'Summits week' guys tried for the big prize of Mont Blanc today with Miles guiding but got shut down by the wind and bad visibility at the Vallot bivi hut just above the Dome du Gouter. They got to ride the best part of the Mont Blanc descent though and said the snow was great. Tomorrow they'll go for the Breche Puisseaux above the Periades high above the Valley Blanche which is one of the most picturesque, atmospheric and impressive tours in the Valley, the descent being just below the massive North Face of the GrandesJorrasses.
Our other Advanced BC group are now struggling to follow ledgendary French Snowboard pioneer (and Mountain Guide) Fred Auge around the high mountains and did a variant on the Col du Passon today and will do a Bueagean variant tomorrow.
Me, I'm having a Freestyle Friday tomorrow, my last days guiding of this winter here in Chamonix before Russia and Norway and I'm going to spend it in a resort having fun in the sun.
I have some photos of the latter part of the week and will post them next.
laters,
Neil.
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