Ski Touring the Col du Passon

To finish off a fabulous and powder-filled off-piste course, the Off-Pisters decided that they had enough energy to go ski touring. They took the cable car to the top of Les Grands Montets, skied down the Rognons glacier and across the Argentière glacier.  

View of the backside of les Grands Montets over the Argentiere glacier Peter puts his skins on

Once across the glacier, the team stopped to put their skins on their skis and then started the sweaty uphill…..

Skinning up  Ski touring the Col du Passon Ski tourers on the Argentiere Ski touring above the Argentiere glacier Couloir of the Col du Passon Skis off, crampons on

The last 80 or so metres is bootpack, so the skis go on the rucksack and crampons on the feet. It is important to step carefully and take care not to ruin the track for those who come after you as you hike up.

Bootpacking up the Col du Passon Peter is happy that the uphill is over!Les Courtes and Les Droites Christie and guide Sébastien rest after the hike up

The reward: breathtaking views of les Courtes and les Droites on one side and the Tour glacier and the Aiguille du Tour on the other.  After a lunch break and photo session, the team packed up their skins and crampons and put their skis back on to enjoy the ski down to le Tour.

After the hike up, Sébastien gets ready for the ski down Sébastien on the Tour glacier L'aiguille du tour Aeroplane landing on the glacier Hiking for some good turns Le Tour glacier

photo-blog elizabeth 12 Mar 2008