As with the Tour du Mont Blanc snow has been more of an issue so far with some parts of the Walkers Haute Route.
The main problem being the section between Cabane du Mont Fort & Arolla as this section of the route goes & stay high for a number of days.
Mont Fort to Prafleuri via the Col des Chaux: Not too much snow on the Mont Fort side but lots on the back side & descent to the junction where you ascend to Col de Louvie. The snow is steep at the top so great care needs to be taken on the descent. See photo.
Sentier des Chamois: Is a better option, less snow & much better views if weather allows.
Col de Louvie & the Grand Dessert: Snowy & steep descent on to the plateau. Snow patches all the way across & on the rock step between before the Col Prafleuri. See photo taken looking back at Col de Louvie.
Col Prafleuri: Lots of snow on the ascent (see photo), no problems on the descent to the Cabane.
Prafleuri to Arolla: No issues with snow but path has been routed from last year and now heads up towards the Cabane des Dix and cuts across below the glacier (new bridge) and up the moraine to the Col Reidmatten or Pas des Chèvres.
No problems with descent into Arolla.
Rest of the WHR no real problems, patches of snow on shady north facing slopes but ok.
Europaweg: First half open but it's usual loose & horrible self, stone fall danger in the gullies. 2nd half still closed so you will need to descend to Randa & then back up towards Tashalp & on into Zermatt.
For more specific info contact: sara@montblanctreks.com
http://www.montblanctreks.com/walkers-haute-route
A recce on the current conditions of the Tour du Mont Blanc from Courmayeur to Chamonix (West) found that in general the trails are snow free.
Courmayeur to Refuge Bonatti: no problems.
Bonatti to La Fouly: Snow in the gully on the ascent from Arnuva to refuge Elena means the track has been re-routed up the road. Once the snow has retreated enough in the gully they will put in the bridge crossing the river and reopen the normal route.
There is a significant amount of snow over on the Swiss side of the Grand Col Ferret but it's is straightforward to traverse .
La Fouly to Champex-Lac: No problems.
Champex-Lac to Trient: Via Bovine no problems via Fenetre d'Arpette snow at the top steep section leading to the Col. Care needs to be taken here as the ground is steep & uneven and with the added complication of snow it can get tricky. If in doubt take the Bovine route.
Trient to Chamonix: All routes are relatively free of snow, some patches on north facing shaded slopes.
Traverse snow with care, kick in firm foot placements use of poles is advisable to aid balance & give purchase.
For more detailed information drop an email to sara@montblanctreks.com
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
Although the winter is far from finished here in the Chamonix valley and snow over the past two weeks has crept back down to 1500 meters summer is very much on the forefront of our minds.
Both guided & self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc & Walkers Haute Route so far has been equally as popular from end of June to mid September. Self-guided has proved popular where independent groups want the freedom to got at a time to suit and to tailor a route and timescale to suit their needs.
Accommodation has so far proved a challenge in particular on the Tour du Mont Blanc where accommodation options are at a minimum. Hotel Mont Joly in Contamines is not operating this summer which has put an extra load on the other hotels resulting in limited spaces at busy times. Auberge de la Nova in Chapieux always poses a problem, as it is the only accommodation available in the village so becomes fully booked very quickly from June through to the end of the trekking season. When that is the case we opt for alternative route over the Col du Fours, resting at Refuge Les Mottets.
So we are looking forward to the first multi day trek of the season Tour du Mont Blanc on June 23rd, lets hope we get some warm weather before then to clear the snow away from the cols & high level traverses.
Until then we continue with the office work in organising logistics and sorting accommodation.
Have a look at what Mont Blanc Treks has to offer this summer at www.montblanctreks.com
