A little 3-day getaway with Lucy, Nicola and Kate. A program with moderate differences in altitude and nice refuges.
We plan to reach the Dent Parachée refuge via the Glacier de Gébroulaz then the Brêche de la Croix de la rue, but this morning, in Les Menuires, it is snowing and visibility is poor. The weather forecast predicts a slight improvement in the early afternoon, we decide to change the program and go to sleep tonight at the Roc de la Pêche refuge via the Col du Mône. We cross the slopes of the 3 Valleys starting from Les Menuires, visibility is not great but as we approach Courchevel, the fog becomes less dense and we take the opportunity to get off the slopes a little. From Chanrossa we put on our skins to quickly switch to the Avals valley. At the chalet of La Grande Val, we start the climb in the fog and reach the Col du Mône without seeing much. Fortunately, on the other side, a nice surprise, we can see better. We quickly descend towards the Roc de la Pêche refuge where we are expected. The welcome and the quality of the refuge are well appreciated by the girls, a little tired by the weather and the snow not so easy in places.
A restful night and here we are again heading towards the Pommiers Blancs, a fairly easy summit overlooking the refuge. We can’t see much, the fog is still present. We head towards the summit via the western valley and its small pass in 2h30. The descent is in very good snow and visibility has improved which allows us to enjoy it. The whole team is smiling and we join Pralognan la Vanoise to have a good meal before going up to the Barmettes refuge where we are practically alone.
On the morning of this third day, a nice surprise awaits us: the weather is great! The goal of the day is to go around the Aiguille de la Vanoise and go down via the Arollets. A little fresh snow fell last night but the rapidly summery temperature unfortunately won’t give us time to enjoy it. The landscape is breathtaking, the climb is pleasant. We pass under the Grande Casse and reach the refuge of the Col de la Vanoise which we leave on our left. It’s time to take off the seal skins and go down the Arollets in snow that is very different from the day before. A few ibex observe our rather particular style of descent… We join the Pralognan slopes at the Fontanettes and conclude this little trip with a good meal in a local restaurant. The whole team is delighted despite the sometimes difficult weather and snow conditions.
