Touring conditions continue to be good out here in the Alps, in particular in the slightly lower altitudes of the Aiguilles Rouges, Chablais and Aravis mountains surrounding the main Mont Blanc massif. Sunday saw Steph, Oli (my bro) and I heading off on another adventure to take advantage of the continuing sunny blue skies and stable snow conditions. And of course to have another go driving Oli's flash new Audi Quattro (I have car envy!)
This time we headed to the southern end of the Aravis chain, to Mont Charvin, where we heard the NE couloir was in good shape. Mont Charvin is a stunning ski-peak, with a fine summit ridge and views. A stand alone mountain with north, west and south west faces all crying out to be skied.
It's great skiing these lesser known areas - a sense of discovery, different views and a new place to come back to.
After a short skin through the forest we headed up the west face, skinning the whole way. This is the normal way to ski down too, and in fresh snow the 35-45 degree slope would be an epic descent. Being a west face and without fresh snow for 10 days, it was a little crusty and so we elected to ski the north east couloir. This would have sunless cold, powdery snow on and would be a chunk steeper. After a break for lunch on the top in the sun, we headed down the upper slope (45 degrees) towards the convexity below, beyond which we couldn't see anything - quite unnerving!
The snow at the top was good quality powder but towards the steepening, patches of grass and rock were showing through where previous skiers had scraped the snow off. Adding to the technicality of the ski, it makes it more fun - sort of!
The steepest section was 50 degrees and unfortunately was a mixture of slopey smooth rocks and sugar-snow - unskiable for the non lemming. After failing to get through these rocks we found another way through (phew!) which was just as steep but more exposed with a steep drop pulling at your feet off to the right, which again made it more fun - sort of.
Poor old Steph and Oli were left edging to the upper slope for the best part of an hour getting cold and stiff, whilst I figured the way through out (sorry guys!).
We regrouped below the rocks, at the top of the lower 45 degree couloir. Wow - the snow looked geat and it was wide with no rocks in the way. The scary bit was over and now it was great turns all the way, allbeit on tired legs. A quick skin took us to the west col and our route back to the car. The late afternoon light really made the view stunning and it was a pleasure skiing the final rolling slopes with the snow glinting in the dying sun.
Mont Charvin 2400m, NE couloir 5.1 E1 (50 degrees 100m then 45 for 250m)
Photos
1. looking down the upper slope at me trying to find a way through the rocks
2. the summit ridge (west slope in the sun and our face on the left in the shade)
3. looking towards Annecy
