...unfortunately we spent most of this day at the Grand Montets cutting through to the ice/hard pack/rocks underneath. The best we found was way out in the Lavancher bowl - The Markness just heading into one of the better pitches.
A little lower down and Joe is still finding decent lines - the decent snow cover a pleasant surprise.
Discussing the options - the exit from this part of the bowl needs reasonable route finding. A little caution goes a long way and by taking it steady low down we negotiated a safe and easy way out.
Unlike these muppets.
I zoomed in on the original photo - the guy in red is a French ski instructor - think he should stick to getting people to 'bend zee knees'.
Smiles all round as we head back up the Pendant chair. Cheers to Exuberant Dave for the photo - unfortunately he found one of the less forgiving rocks on our next run, pranging his arm and reminding us all to take care...
A few days later and it was time for my first Midi run of the season. I haven't had the chance to ski with Mario much as when I worked at the hotel Mario was often at the restaurant in La Tuile and last year he had major knee surgery. So it was nice to ski the Midi with him and his son, Mattea. The Ridge looking busy enough for late January...
Mario immediately looking for fresh lines from the Col du Plan - although the snow looked reasonable most of the pitch was fairly bomb proof.
Mario still deciding whether to drop in while Mattea and I take in the view.
Committed now and not looking too bad. Unfortunately it was a case of one more turn and tracking out to the main pitch of the Col, hoping your edges will hold.
Lower down and we're into some decent snow. After years of race training and now hard at work in University, Mattea loves any opportunity for some free skiing.
Mario makes the most of a reasonably untracked section - often I'm only just warming up in these pitches - with varied snow conditions the whole way down, its hard to imagine that Mario's knee was rebuilt less than a year ago.
Onto the Mer de Glace and a quick drink before the trundle out to the train.
