Val - Val the traverse of the Vanoise
I met Jenny, Dave in Mateo on sat in Moutier where we were joined by aspirant guide Phil Ashby. The plan was to traverse the Vanoise from Val Thoren to Val d'Isere we started by usingvthe Val thoren lift system to reachvthe Col du Thorens. We then skinned to the Col Gebroulaz then skied the Gebroulaz glacier to the Rock de la Peche hut. Monday we climbed to the col du aussois then skied to the refuge dent parache where we were made very welcome by Frank the guardian. Tuesday we crossed the Col du Labby in very cold windy conditions the skied then skinned then skied to the Arpont hut. The hut was not yet guardianed so we got the stove going and made ourselves at home. We had a steep start from the hut on wed morning with steep skinning then cramponing on our way to traverse the glacier de la vanoise. We spent the nigt in the Col du la Vanoise hut.
Thursday we headed east then south passing the closed refuge plan de lac before climbing the Pointe de Lanserlia. It's north facing slopes gave use the only soft snow skiing we have had all trip. We finished the day with an hour and a bit to the superb Femma hut. The final day we crossed the Col des barme de l'ours then skied some good north facing snow to Val d'Isere
The traverse of the Vanoise was an amazing trip perfect weather stable avalanche conditions and no people. Apary from at the huts we saw no other ski touring parties from Val to Val. A perfect start to the touring season.