Haute Route Day 5

Our room was on the windward side of the hut, so we could hear it blow all night and when morning dawned it only seemed to strengthen.

It was immediately apparent that the high route over the glaciers was not an option. 

It took a bit of fortitude just to get our kit together and onto our skis!

The bail out option here is the Pas de Chevres which involves a series of ladders to surmount these cliffs.

Looking back from where we came.

Gavin climbs the first ladder.

Nicki and I took a belay.

Isaac on the catwalk near the top.

 The view from the pass was great and we were happily sheltered from the strong winds there.

 Jed fortifies.

This area is on or very near the route of the upcoming PDG randonee race and there were many folks out on racing gear.

Gavin. Animated. As always!

We descended in the closed Arolla ski area. Lucien stops by the side of one of the trails.

More racer types.

Some regular Joe types too.

Eventually arriving in the lovely town of Arolla.

Where Dave arranged for a van to take us to Zermatt. Interesting rock formation along the way.

 Arriving in Zermatt which is carless, but does have small electric taxis and service vehicles.

 Cleaned up and changed we headed out for dinner.

Zermatt has a nice quaintness to it.

There are old historic buildings.

Mixed with a little glitz.

Bailing but not failing. We took what the mountains gave us, which on this occasion was a quick exit.

Huate Route Day 4

We left the Prafleuri hut under leaden skis and light snow, skinned up the Col de Roux, and then began a long long, slightly downhill traverse above the reservoir Lac des Dix.

Random cross along the traverse.

Above the inlet to the reservoir we began the ascent towards the Dix hut.

Looking back at the almost empty reservoir. We traversed along the left above the rock bands.

Time to climb!

Another look at the reservoir with Jed and Lucien.

We found ourselves with a little descent to get to the hut which is perched on a bluff.

The Dix hut is truly a beautiful structure.

and inside they served beautiful beer! This hut had by far the best selection of wine and beer among the huts we visited. This Tripel was tasty!

More building pics.

The weather lifted slightly revealing the standard route up the glaciers which appeared to zig zag up to the right of the point.

The stunning Mont Blanc de Cheilon.

The boot room. Ski boots are forbidden in the huts, so they are removed in the entry boot room and exchanged for hut shoes, which were Crocs.

Similarly ice axes are racked before entry.

The question on our minds was whether the weather would allow us to take the standard route or force us into other decisions. I had another Tripel and enjoyed the moment!

Haute Route Day 3

After a grey, wet day in Verbier the next morning dawned crisp and clear. We rode the gondola up from town and waited at a mid station for the tram to open. Sipping espresso while nibbling good croissants and taking in the incredible views was a fine way to start the day!

Looking southwest to where we came from. The Mt Blanc area.

and the view south to the Grand Combin.

and zoomed in.

After our pleasant wait we boarded this enormous tram car.

The view of our route from the tram.

Isaac looks ready.

A lone skier skins up below the slopes used in extreme skiing competitions. Big terrain!

Nearing the top of the Cod de la Chaux. Down from where we came.

Almost there.

and the view ahead of us.

We got a few nice turns in before beginning our next ascent.

Jed admires the day.

As does Dave.

The skin track seemed especially aesthetic.

About to top out on the Col de Momin with Mont Fort in the back right.

Our group begins the crossing of the Grand Desert glacier.

The group split here with Dave, John, and Gavin heading for the hut and the rest of us heading up to Rosablanche.

Jed, Isaac, and Nicki carry on with a bit of wind up near the ridge.

The summit of Rosablanche involves a short steep climb with a bit of exposure.

The mountains to the east included the venerable Matterhorn, the distant, darker triangle almost dead center.

Jed was digging it.

We were fortunate to have the summit to ourselves which gave Isaac room to celebrate.

  Luciene was kind enough to take this one of me.

Most significant peaks in the alps have a cross of some sort on their summits. This one was a bit different.

Isaac and Nicki were super stoked too.

The skiing below the summit was great right off the bat. Lucien shreds.

Jed shreds down the upper portion of  the Grand Desert glacier.

 The skiing was so good and the setting was spectacular. Isaac and Nicki.

Isaac goes switch. Why not?

 One of the best runs ever!

 Heading back up before the descent of the Prafleuri glacier to the hut.

Lucien checked out this military outpost on the shoulder of Rosablanche.

and enjoyed more truly fine skiing.

Must've got a little pow on the lens - sorry about the smudge in the next few pics!

Looking down at the Prafleuri hut low right before our last pitch.

A nice afternoon for kicking it on the deck!

 The crew settles in for dinner.

Once the sun left, the deck cleared out.

Went for a little after dinner stroll behind the hut.

Simply a perfect day in the mountains!