Snowshoeing

The winter is fast approaching and if you are looking for something new to do this winter why not try a different sort of activity in the mountains by having a go at snowshoeing.

What is snowshoeing?

For those unfamiliar with snowshoeing it originated over 6000 years ago in central Asia using modified slabs of wood to help them travel on snowy ground. After the migration of Asians to Northern America the snowshoe evolved, a racket wooded frame with hide strapping spread the persons weight to prevent sinking which provided a essential piece of kit for hunters, traders and travellers in the snowy regions of the world.

Since the 1970’s snowshoeing has become a popular winter sport giving people the opportunity to trek in winter conditions and experience the truly stunning environment away from the crowds of skiers and snowboarders on piste.

Why snowshoeing?

• It’s a great way to keep or improve fitness, walking in snow on snowshoes is a great cardiovascular workout which can burn up to 600 calories per hour even on the easy trails.

• It’s a fun way to spend you day in the mountains in winter.

• It gets you away from the crowded ski resorts into a quiet and tranquil environment.

• It gives you the opportunity to see winter flora & fauna whilst trekking through a magical environment off the beaten track.

Who goes snowshoeing?

Basically anyone with who enjoys being in the mountains in winter, any age any level of fitness and experience. There are many trails to suit all levels of experience and fitness, from easy beginners routes to harder more challenging terrain.

Where & when to go snowshoeing?

You can snowshoe pretty much anywhere in the world as long as you have snow, snowshoeing is a very popular winter sport in North America and Canada and getting more so in the European Alps. Many resorts have marked snowshoe trails of various lengths, graded in difficulty from beginners to experienced. Information on snowshoe trails can be obtained normally from the tourist information office in each resort.

How to snowshoe

Very simple really, its pretty much just like walking using poles, the only thing to get used too your extra large feet and you’re a little extra attention with your balance. The snowshoe is fitted to your boots and is hinged at the ball of your foot. The snowshoe can be either used in a locked position (can be better for downhill to avoid tripping up by an over extended snowshoe) or unlocked for flat or slightly undulating terrain. The snowshoe also has a heel raiser at the back for use when going up hill.

Kit needed

Depending on the temperature and time of winter season the kit you require is very much like when skiing. You will need layers with a waterproof outer layer, gloves & hat, day rucksack to put your layers in if you get too hot, walking poles with snow baskets, map or trail guide and of course snowshoes. There are many different types of snowshoes that can be either hired or bought in resort and prices range from 10 euros per day to rent to between 90- 150 euros to buy. Being based in the European alps my choice would be the French manufactured TSL snowshoes who are based in Annecy, other manufacturers predominant in Northern America are MSL, Tubbs, Atlas and Redfeather.

Snowshoe safety

There is a temptation to wander off the unmarked trails in search of new terrain and un-touched powder, however care needs to be taken as even though the terrain seems benign it can pose great avalanche risks. Snowshoe trails are managed by the resort and use safe terrain and if you are not particularly experienced it’s worth sticking to these. If you fancy getting well off the beaten track make sure you have a guide with you who will have knowledge of the area and know where to go in order to avoid potential terrain traps and avalanche prone areas.

Further blogger posts on snowshoeing coming up over the next few months, next post: Snowshoe review

Mont Blanc Treks offer snowshoeing holidays and day treks in the European alps for further information visit: www.montblanctreks.com/winter/

Further information on snowshoeing can be found at: www.snowshoemag.com/

Tour du Mont Blanc- Autumn 2011

We woke on day 6 of the Tour du Mont Blanc to grim weather, low cloud and persistent rain & the forecast for the day gave snow level to 1200 metres. A real reminder for the group that bad weather kit is essential even though if felt a little pointless carrying it in the heat of the previous week. Layered up we set out towards Arnurva for a welcome cappuccino and a chance to dry out at the Chalet Val Ferret before making our way up past the Refugio Elena and on to the Col du Ferret.

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

Rain turned to snow at about 2,000 metres and by the time we passed the Italian/ Swiss boarder we were pretty much wearing the contents of our rucksacks. This was no place to hang around we made a quick descent to La Puele and beyond to Ferret and La Fouly.

We were entertained at Breakfast by the sight of snow falling as though it was a morning in January, just as well that we had an easy day heading down the Val Ferret and on to Champex-Lac. Although the snow had turned to rain en-route the temperatures were low and we were glad of a hot shower & warm & dry accommodation.

The forecast for day 8 was good, the low cloud took a while to shift be it promised

to be stunning. Because of the good forecast & the possibility of interesting conditions under foot, I gave the group the option between Bovine or the TMB variant, Fenetre d’Arpette (more challenging but the group were more than capable).

As we walked up the Val d’Arpette in freezing low cloud it was hard to see how this might clear but whilst we were enjoying a 10 minute chocolate stop we were treated to the most amazing dissipation revealing 360 degrees of newly snow plastered mountains…. or as Carmel exclaimed ‘Holy snapping duck poo’ (Australian for WOW I believe).

We continued moving up through the snowline over the boulders and via steep ground to the Fenetre d”Arpette were we were rewarded for our efforts again by the best views of the trek so far (and boy we had plenty) the Swiss Valasian alps to the south east, Trient plateau & glacier to the south and the Aiguille Rouge to the north west. Care was needed at the top as we made our descent and we finally reached Trient a little jaded but trilled at the day we had just had.

Day 9 was to be the last day of our autumn Tour du Mont Blanc as we were finishing on this occasion in Argentierre. We headed steeply up through the woods from Trient to the Alpage of Tseppes, which made for a great resting place as we admired the views back towards the Fenetre d”Arpette and the Trient Glacier. From here we traversed across to Catogne and took the left fork at the path junction up to the Col du Balme as Mont Blanc came back into view in all its splendor.

After lunch one last treat in store as we headed over to the Aiguillette des Possettes. The views from the summit of the Possettes (I think) are the best in the area, 360-degree views of magnificence! Followed by a beautiful descent via the ridge to Tre la Champ and Argentierre beyond.

What a trek, autumn is truly a stunning time of year to undertake the Tour du Mont Blanc, we were treated to amazing views because of the weather conditions and awesome photo opportunities.

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

Visit our Flickr photostream at : www.flickr.com/photos/montblanctreks/

Thank to ‘Team TMB’ Carmel, Jude, Ann, Jane & Keith for an enjoyable trek, you were a joy to guide.

Tour du Mont Blanc, Autumn 2011

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year to do the Tour du Mont Blanc, after the madness of August the Chamonix Valley all of a sudden quietens down and becomes a slightly different place. On the tour the trails are also quieter and the accommodation less crowded which all adds to a much more pleasantexperience. Oh yes and there's the weather, oftenSeptember is settled & sunny without the surging heat and the treat of late afternoon storms of late July& August.

We were not disappointed... the weather was perfect as we started the Tour du Mont Blanc on 13th September from Chamonix. We took the telepherique up to Plan Praz at 2000 m from here we headed to Les Houches via the TMB route passing through the Col du Bevant, Brevant & Bel Lachat before descending to Les Houches via the animal Parc Merlot.

Day 2 of the Mont Blanc circuit saw more good weather as we RDVat the hotel in Les Houches and made our wayto the Bellevue telepherique.

From Bellevue at 1800m we headed to Contamines via the Col du Tricot, we tend to use this TMB variant because the vies are more spectacular & the Chalets des Miage make for a really nice coffee stop taking in the views of the Miage Glacier & the Domes des Miages. Another ascent over to Chalets du Truc before making our descent to Les Contamines.

After a short minibus ride to the Gorge de la Notre Dame, day 3 took the truly fabulous Tour du Mont Blanc route up over the Col du Bonhomme & the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme with stunning views back down into Contamines valley & in the opposite direction over the Beaufortain region of the Savoie.

After a refreshment stop at the refuge du Bonhomme we made our descent to Chapieux & to our accommodation at the Refuge de la Nova.

I think day 4 is one of my favorite days of the Tour du Mont Blanc and because of the continued stunning weather we were treated to the most amazing views as we headed up to the Col du Seigne and once at the col the breathtaking Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif, the Val Veny, Val Ferret and the Swiss Valasian alps in the distance. After we descent into the Val Veny we climb up once more to the Vielle d'Arp wich is a bit of a killer and makes for a long day but it is worth it for the stay at the Maison Vielle and its fabulous food and warm welcome.

Day 5 we made our descent to Courmayeur & onward to the Refugio Bonatti, with the weather set to chance for a couple of days it was amazing to see how things changed so rapidly, a true reminder of how you can take nothing for granted in the mountains.

Starting the day in shorts and t-shirts and arriving at the Bonatti with full wet weather gear in the pouring rain we were glad of the excellent facilities the Bonatti has to offer.

Tour du Mont Blanc 2nd half Bonatti to Chamonix through snow & sunshine, to be continued...

More information about the Autumn Tour du Mont Blanc trek with Mont Blanc Treks visit our website www.montblanctreks.com.

montblanctreks' photostream

montblanctreks' photostream on Flickr.

Tour du Mont Blanc September 2011, stunning weather allowing the very best views and photo opportunities we even got a little snow along the way just to give us a reality check!

Walkers Haute Route Trek: July 201, Part 2

Team Haute Route

Day 7- 17^th July, Grimentz to Zinal:

The weather forecast indicated heavy rain arriving by mid morning so the second week of the Walkers Haute Route started with a bus ride from the barrage du Moiry to cut out some of the route we had descended the day before. From the dam we ascended steeply to reach the Col du Sorbois at 2847m by the time we reached the Col the cloud had descended and the air was damp. We descended through the Zinal ski area in the rain and made a welcome coffee stop at the telepherique café before our final damp decent through the trees to the village of Zinal.

Day 8- 18^th July, Zinal to Gruben:

With the weather still far from perfect we started the day from Zinal with a fairly hefty ascent through woodland and open pastures towards the Col du Forcletta 2875m.  The Weisshorn and other great views eluded us today, low cloud and cold weather hampered the day from start to finish. We made our descent through the high alpage into the trees and on to the small village of Gruben in the Turtmanntal valley.  The Turtmanntal valley is truly remote and unlike the other valleys of Grimentz & Zinal who offer skiing through the winter and spring. The Turtmanntal valley is only inhabited in the summer months and once Autumn arrives the villagers retreat to the Rhone valley.

Day 9- 19^th July, Gruben to Gasenreid:

Above Gruben

A cold start but with clearer skies at last, today we would see some of the fabulous views on offer whilst ascending the Augustabordpass 2894m. The day started with a beautiful steep ascent through larch, pine & birch woodland to reach the alpage. Beyond the high pasture lead us to a rocky ascent of the Augustabordpass with views of Turtmann glacier. A tricky decent across a boulder field made progress slow with a narrow exposed path leading to Jungen 1995m high above St Nicklaus. With the weather changing again we decided to take the little local telepherique installed and used by the locals of Jungen to gain easy access to the Valaisian Village of St Nicklaus in the Matterhorn Valley. From hear a short bus ride took us to Gasenreid and our accommodation for the night.

Europaweg waymarker

The Europaweg dilemma!

We carried out a recce at the beginning of July after hearing information about the route being unsafe & partially closed. When we visited the first section of the route from Gasenreid to the Europahutt the route was in very poor condition with high risk of stone fall and paths that were non existent in places. The second half of the route from Europahutt to Tashalp is totally closed for the foreseeable future so trekkers need to descend to Randa from the hut and find an alterative route to Zermatt either via the Matterhorn Valley back up or via taxi to Tashalp.

Day 10- 20^th July, Gasenreid to Randa:

Wanderweg

With this prior knowledge we decided not to take any risks and take the mid level Wanderweg route from Gasenreid to Randa which was lovely, we then descended to the valley floor and followed the valley route to Randa. The later part of this route was a little disappointing because of its close proximately to the rail & road making it a little noisy at times. We arrived to a warm welcome at the Matterhorn Golf hotel, great atmosphere and great food.

Day 11- 21^st July, Randa to Zermatt:

Rather than continuing in the valley bottom to Zermatt the hotel offered us a taxi ride to Tashalp so we could complete our journey on the last section of the Europaweg into Zermatt. What a great choice, the views were fantastic and the high level route into Zermatt was a fitting end to the Walkers Haute Route trek. We arrived in Zermatt for a celebratory drink.

Europaweg

Europaweg

Day 12- 22^nd July, free day in Zermatt:

Just when you thought it might be time for a relaxing day off in Zermatt some of the group decided to RDV at the telepherique at 7am meeting their pre-booked mountain guide to take them up the Briethorn at 4165m. Others had a more leisurely day looking around the shops in Zermatt and taking a relatively short walk to the picturesque village of Zmutt. 

Zmutt

For more information on the Walkers Haute Route trek visit: www.montblanctreks.com

Walkers Haute Route Trek July 2011

Walkers Haute Route trek July 2011- Day 4 to Day 6

Col du Torrent, dir Zinalrothorn

Les Hauderes

Above La Sage

Day 4- 14^th July, Cabane du Prafleuri to Arolla: A cold and moody start with low cloud and missal as we ascended the Col du Roux 2804 meters, no fabulous views today of Lac Dix from the col although the weather was set to improve as the day went along. Once we had descended to the lake we enjoyed a 3 kilometres of easy walking as we contoured the shore. Unfortunately easy walking doesn’t last long on the Haute Route as we

made our way steeply (very steeply at times) up to the Col du Reitmann 2919 metres. Still no views to be had for the majority of the day which was disappointing for the team as views are stunning all day long given the right kind of weather.

Col du Torrent, dir Dent Blanche

Col du Torrent, dir Mont Blanc

Day 5- 15^th July, Arolla to Les Hauderes: We normally class this day as our day off with an easy descent to Les Hauderes, with 2 hours easy walking maximum… or so we thought, when a topless youth who guarded the path below Guineele told us that the path was closed for maintenance and we had to ascend back to the road and walk to Les Hauderes through avalanche tunnels via the main road, not the best of routes!! Nonetheless although this set us back time wise we still managed a free afternoon.

Lac Moiry 

Day 6- 16^th July, Les Hauderes to Grimentz:  A long, long day ahead as we climbed up out of the valley bottom from Les Hauderes a 1600 metre ascent to the Co du Torrent 2916 metres. Fabulous weather gave us great views all the way to the col, we looked back towards Arolla and beyond finally getting to see some of the peaks and glaciers we missed on day 4, Mont Colon, Pigne d’Arolla and Dent Blanche truly stunning. Once we reached the col we enjoyed fabulous 360° views with the Weisshorn to the east, Zinalrothorn to the south east and Mont Blanc to the west. An easy descent took us down to the barrage du Moiry and following the river we reached our destination, Grimentz.

Mont Blanc Treks Walkers Route trek information