Nothing is predictable here, after a bizzare 6 months of weather anything goes.
After a bumper winter of snow (December & January), freezing Febuary with the coldest temperatures in Chamomix for decades, the summer temperatures of March (25 degs) & since then a mixture of sun, rain, high winds & more snow it's going to be an interesting start to the season.
So our first trek starts on the 24th June & what are the conditions like?
Challenging! Would be one word to describe the situation.
The Chamonix valley section is pretty free of snow up to 2300m although lac Blanc is still under a blanket of snow. The main problem us the amount of trees blocking the routes between the valley & the middle mountain after the severe Foehn wind damage sustained a month ago.
Les Houches to Les Contamines via Col du Tricot, snow on the way up to the Col but no problems, no snow on the south side.
Contamines to Chapieux via the Col du Bonhomme, lots of snow on route making the ascent slow. The traverse from Col de Bonhomme to Col de la Croix de Bonhomme difficult, great care needs to be taken here to avoid slipping and sliding on to the rocks below.
Chapieux to Courmayeur via the Col de Seigne, snow above 2200m & in shaded north facing slopes. Care needs to be taken when traversing across steep ground.
Second half of the TMB (Courmayeur to Chamonix) recced next week.
If you require any more detailed information contact: info@montblanctreks.com or via www.montblanctreks.com
