Usually in the Alps the weather forecast is pretty reliable giving good indications of what to do, this week I wish I had ignored it completely. After cold snowy weather the forecast was to be warm with the freezing levels rising to 4200m by mid week so we decided that getting onto big snowy faces and ridges wouldn't be to clever. The weather man got it totally wrong and it stayed cold all week. We started the week with a bit of acclimatisation on the traverse of the Entreve then we headed to the Dent Blanche Bivi hut hoping to traverse the Grand Cornier, the bivi hut was incredibly cold and the morning dawned cold and windy. We had a look at the ridge which was way more snowy than we had expected and given how cold it was and the strength of the wind we decided to head for the valley. The forecast was still looking warm so we decided to go and explore a new area, we headed for the Perucca hut above the Val Tournenche a beautiful quiet corner of the Alps. The next day we traversed the Pta Fontanella and M Dragone a superb AD ridge, there is a bit of loose rock about to keep you on your toes but not enough to spoil the experience. Be a bit careful if you head round there the Alpine Club guide book description of how to get onto the ridge isn't feasible unless there is lots of snow so ask the guardian for the best information. After a rest at the hut we headed over towards the Rivolta bivi hut hoping to traverse the Cresta Rae the next day on the way over we got a good look at the descent route which looked in dangerous condition so we headed home. We finished the week climbing at Le Duchere at les Contamines.
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