Again a cold morning when we put on the skins. Today’s objective was Pointes de la Blonnière trough combe à Marion. We started at Col des Aravis. There is no approach you just start at the foot of the mountain. The lower parts is not that steep but as you get higher and into the couloir it gets steeper. Crampons can sure be nice if it is hard and an axe also altough you could probably stay on the skis all the way up in good conditions.

We skipped the summit and head down from the col. Having lunch down by the parking. A short day but some nice skiing in the couloir. But the last bit down we hit breakable crust again…

The snow in the couloir was good, nice transformed grippy snow but down lower it was a mix of breakable crust and hard frozen snow. Lets say we were quite tired when we made it back =)

Half walking, half skiing…

Warm weather and low altitude is rarely a good combination for skiing… and today was no exception. We started from Beffay walking a bit along the road before putting on the skis. There was little snow and no way to go but to follow the road up to Ravin des Sambuis. After we passed the last house the snow got colder and it actually looked like a good day. The way up is pretty clear and we had no problems. A quick coffee at the summit and then down!

Four five good turns and then it got wet, still the skiing down to the refuge halfway was ok.  We had lunch and continued down partly skiing, mostly on foot. One thing to note is that the approach is relatively long and it is hard to find good skiing along the road. Higher up though it is a nice mountain.

There is always a small adventure!

I a way fitting to end the year by starting up the ski touring season. Armed with telemark skis, crampons and an ice axe I went for Rundhögda. The peak is at 1120m and you have to climb an astonishing 280m from the parking. Nevertheless if you look for it you can find short but steep section and you are sure home by lunch if you wan’t to.It was a cold and calm day at the mountains I got some nice pictures and maybe three steep turns.

Always bring you compass!

Although the weather report promised snow and strong winds the morning started beautifully. Some wind but sunny. I started at Sjöstugan and followed the winter trail before turning straight to the mountain. Salfjellet is with its 1281m not so high but offers a nice view. The wind picked up soon and when I got halfway up the snow came.

From good conditions to complete whiteout in minutes. I pushed on for maybe 20min but eventually turned around. On the way down the visibility was so bad that I had to go just by compass… and that is in an area I almost grew up in! A small adventure, good training and a reminder to respect the mountains.