It wasn't until after lunch that the rain stopped and the clouds began to show some signs of lifting. Sensing that the smooth slabs above the Col de la Colombiere would be first to dry out, we optimistically set off up the hill. Our calculations were correct and we reached the base of the slabs while the mists were still clearing. Most importantly, the rock was dry.
We were delighted to have snuck in a couple of superb pitches of climbing while the mountains began to dry out.
On the long abseil down, we got a good sense of scale and an atmospheric view as the clouds blew through and the views came and went.
We were back at the Col around 18:30 and cooked up a big pan of pasta while re-sorting our gear ready for 'phase two' of our planned adventure. By 19:00 we were hiking back up the mountainside in search of a high camp.
The previous rains had cleared the air giving us incredible 'high definition' visibility.
The higher we climbed the better the views got and we could soon see the snow capped summit of Mt Blanc in the distance.
As the shadows became longer and were projected onto the far side of the valley, we found a good bit for flat ground, large enough to accommodate us and our small tent.
On our shady side of the mountain, the temperature dropped pretty quickly and without the excursion of hiking up hill, we needed more layers on that I've worn in months! I can't even remember the last time I wore a wooly hat!
We brewed up tea and sat back to watch the evening light show as the sunset colours came and went. The snows of Mt Blanc glowed pink in the last of the light. We retreated to the warmth of the tent for a while, but re-emerged at around 22:00 to check out the stars. There were so many! The milky way stretched across the sky clear to see and satellites crissed-crossed the view. No shooting stars, but still plenty to stare at until we returned to the warmth of our sleeping bags.
In the morning, the day dawned bright and clear.
We rolled out for the tent and into the warmth of the morning sun.
It only took a few minutes to pack away the tent after a breakfast of cereal bars and hot tea.
After stashing one pack among some boulders, we set off upwards to the col above the camp.
From here we could get a good view down to the lake near where we had camped.
Over the other side of the ridge, the views went on and on...
The ground we were on was good and solid, but the north face had some interesting geology.
In the distance, Lake Geneva was hidden under a bank of clouds.
We opted to follow the crest of the ridge to the summit of Pointe de Balafrasse (2296m).
On the way we came across some Ibex!
Rather than carry on up the scramblers peak, which looked and sounded rather loose, we got comfy on the ridge and spent an hour chatting and looking. Vultures, chuffs and a kestrel flew overhead a couple of Ibex locked horns nearby sending a 'clack'-ing sound echoing around the cwm.
Eventually, as food and water began to run short, we started our descent back to the col and onwards to the comforts of the chalet.
La Colombiere Climbs:
- Tout a Carapaton, 4c, 4c****
No comments:
Post a Comment