IML WQMDs

17th March 22

930 miles to St Jean d’Aulps, 21 hour journey.

18th March 22

Found today hard and not fun, think i was tired from yesterday’s drive, the snow was heavy/wet and i was in the clag all day, also it was boring on the approach through the forest. Snow down my boots made for cold wet feet to finish.

Alpage Seytrouset 1487m (30m vis so on the compass)

Brief clearing approaching Grand Rochet de Nifflon

Looking over to Roc du Château from Col du Nifflon

The difference snowshoes make, can’t believe this person post-holed so far

19th March 22

Col de Coux 1920m from l’Erigné 1163m ~ 9km. Much easier going today as the snow pisted for most of the approach. Went off-piste/off tracks on the return to experiment descending steep gradient by cross-stepping sideways. Weather warm clear with cool breeze on the col, down just before dark. Used stop-tous gaiters today, successfully keeping the snow out of my boots.

20th March 22

A day out with Vero. Parked l’Encrenaz 1400m and shoed up to Pointe Ratti 1923m. Then back to l’Encrenaz and up Mont Chery 1725m. Steep approach so on the descent we experimented with standing glissades in snow shoes with mixed success; Vero quite slick at telemark and . I was going well with parallel until a fall turned into a slide and a nifty stick arrest.

21st March 22

Snowshoe backpack from l’Erigné 1163m to camp on the summit of Tête de Bostan 2406m with Grigor & Vero.

Tête de Bostan summit highest point of pic

22nd March 22

Calm night, boots froze under my sleeping mat, water froze next to me and snow formed inside the tent. Breakfast looking at Mt Blanc and loafed soaking up the sun’s rays before the descent.