Summer Time ....Snow Time

Just back from my second week this winter in the Val Clarée. What a great place, and what amazing snow conditions!
I didn't expect there to be snow right in the valley at this time of year, but it has snowed on and off for the past few weeks, with a big dump just before we arrived. So we could walk right out of the hotel, just like in January.

In fact there was a little too much snow and the avalanche risk was high which meant we had to be careful - as ever. but this only affected a couple of walks and we made up for this by doing lots of great descents in deep snow.

We had some lovely sunny days mid week which we enjoyed to the full, with an overnight in a charming mountain hut and a fab ascent to a high col next morning. Then a full on sunbathing day in hot sunshine and heaps of fresh snow.

Heavy snowfall again towards the end of the week meant we didn't get the views and the risk of avalanche coupled with nil visibilty stopped us going to a high pass on the last day.

BUT look what we did! Snowshoe Rolls are a TITA speciality!

All in all I think everyone had a blast. This was snowshoeing in all its guises and for the last week of March that's pretty unusual. Thanks to my models for some great performances!

Next stop the Swiss Alps for my last two groups. The raquettes are all lined up and ready!











High winds almost stop play

After a foretaste of spring, winter returned with avengence this last week. The temperatures plumetted and everything went white again.
At first the snow fell without wind which created some classic Narnia conditions. Snow laden trees and snowy roofs made for a winter wonderland experience.

After this brief snowy interlude the sun came out again accompnied by glacial temps & strong winds. There is something wonderfully exhilarating about battling your way up to a high pass, buffeted by winds to gain a fabulous view, then running all the way back down, the wind on your back. At least that's what I thought.....

Not sure my friends fully shared my joy in these conditions, but nothing a beer and tart couldn't fix in the café afterwards.

 We finally escaped the winds which threatened to shutdown a very important cable car and had a final nice snowy walk with great views of chamois.



That's it for now. A few days in springtime Provence then off the Val Clarée for some fun in the sun and snow - Briançon boasts 300 days of sun a year so we should be okay.
Right now it's putting down the fresh white stuff throughout the Alps so we're good to the end of the season!

Sun and snow as conditions get a little changeable

 

This is full on busy season for Trekking in the Alps. I've just done two back to back trips which meant 12 days away from home. Far too much of course, but apart from missing my own bed, husband and pusscat, I certainly couldn't complain about anything else. Great groups and once again pretty good conditions prevailed.

First of all I was with a group of seasoned Trekking in the Alps snowshoers in Samoëns in the Giffre Valley not far from Morzine and Flaine. They had a great time in perfect powder. The sun came out, they had made an effort with their outfits and everything went wonderfully.

After this I had a group of beginngers (at least to Trekking in the Alps) who were based in Switzerland for a week of snowshoeing around Mont Blanc. We were very lucky with the weather as it broke early during the week, but luckily we went to the right places and had great hikes, even if the views were somewhat compromised the last two days. Snow in the forests can also be very pretty and after all if it didn't snow we'd just be "shoeing".

We've also had some good wildlife spotting - ibex, chamois and even an ermine. The new group took to snowshoeing really well and after a few minutes hesitation were launching themselves down the slopes like old timers.

Next stop Simplon and Gemmi Passes where it's forecast to be cold and snowy - just as I thought spring might be on the horizon. Here in Provence spring has definitely arrived as you can see here

Meanwhile getting back to the snowshoeing, the photos tell it far better than I can so here goes

 

 

Loads of snow, lots of sun and some lovely colours!!

Two trips have flown by, amost back to back, so lots to report.
Firstly I had my regular Dream Team group, this time in the Queyras region, which has proved to be a fabulous snowshoe venue, despite being somewhat tricky to get to.

On both trips there this year we've been lucky to have fresh snowfall just before and during our trip. This has given superb conditions. The walks themselves are very varied and with the Dream Team we managed to do some really good summits as well as the high cols.

 

After that I had a 4 day trip in the Aosta Valley, which has proved popular for several years. Although the snow level around Aosta itself is nothing exceptional so far this year, that's not the case up near Courmayeur where there is more snow than I've seen for some time.

 



A couple of nights at the stunning Rifugio Bonatti allowed us to really enjoy some perfect cold sunny weather.

The photos tell it better than I can. Do take note of how beautifully turned out all my models are - this is how to dress in the mountains, see how the pink and green enhance the shots!!! All those of you who insist on showing up in grey and black.....isn't it time to embrace the colourful jacket?????

Thanks to my groups these last two weeks for making the effort - I know you're pleased you did.



 

Ciao Skip

It is with great sadness that I learnt today that Skip, the Rifugio Bonatti dog, has passed away.
For me Skip was without question the best dog in the world, he welcomed me every time I went to the hut, he often accompanied me and my group on our walks, and he lent a very willing ear and paw during some difficult times for me.
Skip, I will miss you.