Summer trekking in the Alps 2015

After a very easy winter in terms of snowfall and low temperatures and a very warm spring so far this year we are set for a trouble free start to the season.

This was the winter that never really happened after a disastrous Christmas with no snow it finally arrived in time for New Year. With very sparse snowfall during the rest of the season this years skiing wasn't the best.

And then for the spring... Amazingly warm with temperatures in April of 20 degrees in the Chamonix valley it felt more like summer.

This all spells good news for our forthcoming summer season as it means the snow on the high ground will clear quickly making the Tour du Mont Blanc easily accessible in June and the Walkers Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt doable in early July.

We offer a wide range of guided & self guided options for the Tour du Mont Blanc, Walkers Haute Route & Gran Paradiso from June to the end of September. For more information see www.montblanctreks.com

Tour du Mont Blanc Ski Tour

Tour du Mont Blanc Ski Tour

http://www.montblanctreks.com/tour-du-mont-blanc

Winter TMB Ski Tour

Les Houches from above Bel Lachat

We have been thinking of a personal project to undertake this winter, something that can be done in sections as & when we have the time. Although the snow hasn't been great this season the main risk being rock exposure and ice on the plus side the avalanche risk is low with the snow pack being totally consolidated. 

Being based in the Chamonix valley TMB in winter sounds like a good project. Lots of easily accessible sections close to home, Aiguille Rouges, Le Tour to Trient, Les Houches to Contamines and beyond.

As a starting point we took on the Aiguille Rouges taking the bus up the valley to Le Praz and the telepherique to Flegere. Ok we must confess we did cheat a little and made use of mechanical advantage. Pistes were also used between Flegere and Brevent. 

Brevent 2125m

One at the top of the Brevent 2125m we ducked under the ropes and headed down towards Lac Brevent. The snow was very hard packed and wind affected but the skiis had just been serviced so no real problems.

Picking up the TMB foot path we traverse across towards Tete de Bel Lachat a tricky exposed section and we reach our low point. Skins on we climb up towards Bel Lachat and on to Aiguillette des Houches.

Tete de Bel Lachat

Due to lack of snow on the south facing slopes (which is also avalanche affected when more snow is present) A safer option for our descent took us a down La Vogealle and cutting back across to Pierre Blanche and across to Samoteux and La Flatiere. We organised a pick up from here back to Les Houches.

Pierre Blanche

To be continued.... Next section either Le Tour to Trient or Les Houches to Contamines depending on snow conditions.

http://www.montblanctreks.com/tour-du-mont-blanc