Got a text last night from our friend Stu asking if we fancied going on an 'exploratory' ski tour today. While guiding some clients up a peak yesterday, he'd noticed some good looking snow slopes on the other side of the valley. The only thing was, neither of us had a map of the area, or what the mountain was called. Some might call this a recipe for disaster, but for me it seemed like too good an adventure to pass up, so we arranged to meet in the morning. We got kit packed and took short bus ride to the allotted meeting point first thing.
Some research on google maps had identified the right area, so after another trip through the Mt Blanc Tunnel, we took a left hand turn and started our way up some steep switchbacks. It was actually Apple Maps that got us into our first dead end (Clare and Google saving us from major strife). The road got smaller and smaller. Then the tarmac ended and we continued on rough tracks. We eventually gave up the hunt and turned around when we spotted red and white footpath markers on the trees!
We re-traced steps and then after a similar experience traversing on a small track, aborted back down to the tarmac. This time we found the track we required. We got as high as nearly 2000m before the snow covered the forest track. We pushed on in 4x4 mode, in the hopes of finding a turning point until finally, we slipped from the track and into deep snow. Oh dear. Avalanche shovels were employed to try and dig the jeep out. We made some progress using pine branches for traction, but were saved from a very long walk once we got the snow chains on. Phew. A long and nerve wracking reverse followed until we managed to get the thing parked and facing the right way (downhill!).
Part one of the adventure was complete. A lot of time and energy had been used, but we were finally off, skinning up through the remainder of the forest and into the beautiful sunshine. Clare and Stu both clearly vying for the 'best trouser' title.
The snow was hard and icy as we followed the remainder of the forest track. Once we got out above the tree line, the views were staggering.
The skyline was made up of the peaks of the Mt Blanc range and there wasn't a cloud to be seen.
We followed a line through the gentle angled valley, before working up a sweat up the final head wall, where things got steeper.
We were all pleased when one final kick turn led up onto the Col, where a small sign sticking out of the snow declared it to be the Col Fetita 2567m.
We took a welcome lunch break and sat and enjoyed the views. Over the other side were more snowy valleys and peaks and the distinctive shape of the Matterhorn could clearly be seen over in Switzerland.
All too soon, it was time to point the skis downhill and and begin our descent.
It would be fair to say that conditions under ski were 'challenging' and after a very graceful start on the top section, we both took a couple of tumbles as we hit more crusty patches of snow.
It was great to be cruising across and down the slopes. Little did we know that the adventures were far from over though!
This is the view looking back up to the col (the low point on the horizon).
After making our way across the lower snow fields, we picked up the start of the track on which we had ascended.
This took us along a gentle snow covered summer track towards some old chalets.
Some slight confusion in terms of route finding followed shortly after this point. Long story short - it wasn't long until we were standing in a grassy meadow wondering where both the snow and our route back to the car had gone! There was nothing for it but to embark on a sweaty carry of our skis around the hillside to where (we hoped) our track should be. Thankfully it paid off and we slid the remaining half a kilometre back to the car with much relief! Some skidding, bouncing and rattling down the tracks eventually saw us back on the tarmac and safely heading home to France! Exploratory Ski Touring turned out to be a pretty good description of the day's events! An adventure indeed...
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