Freeride outings reports
Haut Giffre - Pointe de la Terrasse
Outing date: 2013-01-06
Altitude of access point: 1350m
Maximum altitude: 2734m
Elevation gain/loss: +1400m
Snow depth at 1350m: 40cm
Snow depth at 2734m: 130cm with 20cm of compacted/winded snow or hart snow
Weather: sunny
Departure/arrival time: 08:45/16:45
The departure point was in the village of Le Buet (Haute-Savoie) next to Vallorcine. Benoît would like to show me the Terrasse sector and the North East chute of the Pointe de la Terrasse. This sector is located in the Haut-Giffre range just next to the swiss border. We started to hike at 8:45 from Le Buet. The first part of the ascent is long but very easy as it is on a 4x4 large way.
At the end of the way we reached a wide plateau at 2000m which opens the view on the Terrasse sector and the majestuous Cornes de Loriaz. It was not our objective of the day but seeing the beautiful chute between the Cornes de Loriaz it was already clear in my mind that I will come back to ride it as soon as possible...
... later and higher, the sun had a very bad effect on the South slopes we hiked on. The snow was terribly heavy and sticky. It was as to have two anvils in your boots.
We decided to hike directly under the Pointe de la Terrasse in the North East chute instead of choosing the Terrasse pass route. The snow hadn't been deteriorated in the North exposed slopes and it was really easier to climb.
After a few efforts we finally reached the summit of Pointe de la Terrasse and we had an impressive view on the Mont Buet from there.
The snow was good although a bit irregular in the North chute and until 2100m. It was an amazing ride. From 2000m and under, the snow was wet but not so bad and it was fun to ride between the trees.
After a well deserved beer at the Hotel du Buet it was time to enjoy the last scenic lights of the day and to drive back home...
... a special thanks to Benoît who shows me the way to this beautiful place.
Aravis - L'Etale Combaz
Outing date: 2013-01-05
Altitude of access point: 1456m
Maximum altitude: 2483m
Elevation gain/loss: +913m >> -170m >> +200m >> -200m >> +170m >> -913m
Snow depth at 1456m: 40cm with 15cm of powder snow
Snow depth at 2483m: 120cm with 20cm of compacted/winded snow or hart snow
Weather: sunny
Departure/arrival time: 10:30/16:45
This outing was again in the Aravis range. My objective was to ride the Combaz chute just under L'Etale summit. The chute is mainly North oriented and the slope is roughly 45° with a short section at 50°.
I started hiking from the parking of Aravis pass at 10:30. It was foggy until 1400-1500m.
The first step was to climb in the Marion valley to reach a little pass at 2360m. The snow was not so bad but I had to put the crampons in the second part of the ascent. The valley was quite crowded, five ski tourers were before me and maybe more behind...
... I reached the pass which gives access to Blonnière valley around 12:15. From there the chute was visble on the left of the valley. I decided to keep my splitboard skins to cross the valley in direction to the bottom of the chute.
I quicky accessed the bottom of Combaz and after having packed my splitboard and prepared my ice crampons and ice axe I started climbing in the chute. I chose the line on the right side of the rocks lock. In the middle, next to the rocks lock, the ascent was difficult. Lack of snow avoided to easily use the ice axe and it was bit sketchy.
It took me 30 minutes to reach the top of the chute.
I kept the ice axe to ride down because the snow was a bit hart in the first part of the chute. In the second part, after the rocks lock, the snow was better and I had a very nice run.
Back to the pass to Marion valley...
... it was time to have a last look to the Combaz and to ride down to the parking in the Marion valley.
Flaine - Tête de Véret
Outing date: 2012-12-19
Altitude of access point: 1747m
Maximum altitude: 2309m
Elevation gain/loss: +562m >> -659m >> +558m >> -461m
Snow depth at 1750m: 90cm with 40cm of dry powder snow
Snow depth at 2300m: 150cm with 50cm of dry powder snow
Weather: sunny
Departure/arrival time: 9:00/15:30
Early wake up for this outing to Tête de Véret in Flaine (Grand-Massif Haute-Savoie)... we left Geneva at 6:00 AM and arrived at parking of Vernant around 7:15. Vernant sector was still closed. The resort was planning to open Vernant access only at the end of the week and that would let us a lot of untracked powder. We started to hike at 7:30 with my friend Andrew. Colours were beautiful... it was simply magic.
We quickly reached the Col de Vernant.
Light was licking the summits...
...beautiful but we were not at the summit and it was so cold...
...arriving at the Col des Grands Vans the sun was waiting for us.
We were not far from our objective...
...the ghost lift... and the powder of the Véret valley.
Aravis - The 3 valleys loop
Outing date: 2012-12-29
Altitude of access point: 1440m
Maximum altitude: 2453m
Elevation gain/loss: +869m >> -309m >> +180m >> -180m >> +440m >> -190m >> +200m >> -1010m
Snow depth at 1440m: 40cm with 5cm of powder snow
Snow depth at 2453m: 150cm with 20cm of compacted/winded snow
Weather: sunny
Departure/arrival time: 8:00/16:30
The objective for this outing was to ride the north chute under Paré de Joux and the Tchadar chute in the Aravis. Paré de Joux is a summit in the Grand Crêt valley on the left of the well known Trou de la Mouche. The north chute starts from the Col de Paré de Joux and ends in the Paccaly valley. The Tchadar chute, also north oriented, allows joining Tardevant valley from Paccaly valley.
We started hiking from the parking of Les Confins at 8:00.
The first part of the ascent in the Grand Crêt valley was difficult because the snow was a bit icy. In the second part under Paré de Joux it was easier... the snow was softer and Benoît made the track. We reached the Col de Paré de Joux at 9:45. The chute joining Paccaly valley was untracked...
...the snow was compacted by the wind but the run was great. I didn't switch my splitboard to tour mode to join the top of the Tchadar chute from Paccaly. I decided to hike with my board on the back because it was a short ascent... short but not so easy. From the top of the Tchadar we had a nice view on the chute we were just before under the Paré de Joux.
People had already tracked the Tchadar chute but it was still plenty of good snow...
... after having a very good run in the Tchadar I switched back my split to tour mode and we hiked 440m upper in the Tardevant valley on the side of Tête de Paccaly to reach a pass allowing us to join back Paccaly valley. We had our lunch at the pass between Tardevant and Paccaly...
...with a nice view on the Trou de la Mouche.
The dessert was a beautiful run in the small chute joining Paccaly valley. We decided then to hike to the Trou de la Mouche...
The Passage du Père chute seemed to be in very good condition but we had unfortunately not enough time to ride it... time to put crampons to walk on the ridge to the Trou de la Mouche.
At the Trou de la Mouche it was very windy.
For the last run we hesitated between the Grand Crêt and the Paccaly valley and finally chose to ride the Paccaly face just on the left of Trou de la Mouche. The snow was a bit hart in the first part but very good from the middle to the bottom of Paccaly valley.
It was the end of a beautiful day in the Aravis.
Flaine - Vernant
Outing date: 2012-12-09
Altitude of access point: 1747m
Maximum altitude: 2208m
Elevation gain/loss: +373m >> -300m >> +400m >> -461m
Snow depth at 1750m: 120cm with 60cm of dry powder snow
Snow depth at 2200m: 150cm with 60cm of dry powder snow
Weather: sunny/cloudy
Departure/arrival time: 9:00/15:00
The third outing of Winter 2012 - 2013 was probably on of the best session I've ever had. I went to Flaine (Grand-Massif Haute-Savoie) in the sector of Vernant. The resort opened the Grande Platières area but all the lifts that give access to Vernant were closed. It was a sunny morning and I started to hike from the parking of Vernant. The cat made the track until the "Col de Vernant" so it was very comfortable to hike in the first part.
In the second part I had to make the track in the deep snow.
It took me about 1 hour to reach the top of the Corbalanche lift. From there the view on the "Pointe Percée", highest summit of the Aravis chain, is beautiful.
After having drink some hot tea and switched back my splitboard to ride mode I made my line just under the Corbalanche lift.
I met some ski tourers at the bottom starting their ascent to Grands Vans. That was perfect...they were going to make the track just before me. I switched back to touring mode and start following them.
I reached the top of Grands Vans lift one hour later and it was time to eat and enjoy the view.
After the lunch... comes the dessert.
