Before each ski tour many questions are asked, how much physical effort is required, how many hours will it take, what might the snow be like, what are the dangers, will the risk assessment be accurate ?
Last Saturday Ian Saunders - a great friend and colleague of many years - and I went through this list before we commited to our latest adventure, the access and descent of the Gebroulaz glacier. Most visitors to Méribel don't realise that at the head of the valley exists this massive glacier. This is mainly because there are only two places in the valley to see this huge expanse of slow moving solid ice.... from the top of the Saulire peak and behind the Mont Vallon bubble.
With the bottom half of the Three Valley ski area quickly melting, the Gebroulaz stands proud, strong and very white, thousands of meters above. The peak is at a breathtaking, and lung busting (for ski tourers), 3,450 meters or 11,500 feet above sea level.
For the record, the snow was awesome due to a sudden drop of temperature. It took the usual eight hours for the round trip from Méribel. The high risk of crevasses on the glacier was always evident and reminded us to be cautious.
Once the main part of the descent was completed we stopped next to the Refuge du Saut for our picnic. After which we had to continue down to Mottaret, via Lac du Tueda.
At 2,000 meters we ran out of snow to ski on: fortunately our ski touring boots can turn into 'rigid' walking boots from normal ski boots to help in such eventualities. How weird did it feel being in full ski kit, walking through fields of spring flowers, watched by bewildered visitors ?
I also had a fantastic weekend with Harriet before she flew back to England this afternoon. We are now planning our summer in the UK (damn, no high alpine mountains !?!). But hang on a minute, it's been raining and snowing heavily here in the last 24 hours. Can Ian and I possibly squeeze in another adventure? I'll keep you posted.
Martin
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