Ski Touring Breche Puiseux - 09/02/2008

skier on vallee blanche - petit envers Skinning up the Glacier des Periades

Big days in the mountains start early: 8 am RV at the Aiguille du Midi lift in Chamonix. It is early February and already busy with mainly skiers and a few climbers buzzing with excitement about the day ahead.

We started the day by skiing a variation of the Valley Blanche called the Petit Envers and managed to find some nice snow that was still untracked. Opposite the Requin refuge we crossed the glacier and put the skins on for a good few hours uphill. We were all on our first couple of days ski touring for this winter season so the fitness level were maybe not as good as it can be. Luckily you start off in the shade up the Periades glacier so at least the temperature was cool and pleasant.

Climbing up the couloir to the Bivouac des Periades Climbing up the couloir to the Breche Puiseux Climbing across to the bivouac des Periades

You have a total of 970m altitude metres uphill, of which the final 350m or so is climbing up the south-west couloir with the skis on our sacks. The 40-45 degree couloir finishes off by an easy scramble to finally reach the Bivouac des Periades at 3432m. About halfway up the couloir we are in the baking sun and boy it is hot!

From the bivouac you have to abseil. Preferably you either have 2 x 40m of rope or you do two abseils. We did it with 2 x 30m which means you have to down climb a little to reach the point where you can put your skis on.

Climbing across to the bivouac des Periades The Breche Puiseux seen from the Mont Mallet glacier

Skiing down the Mont Mallet Glacier you are surrounded by possibly one of the most breathtaking views in the Mont Blanc range. It has got a very remote and wild feel to it with the Grandes Jorasses towering above you. Absolutely stunning!

The ski back down to Mer de Glace is also very good. I guess we had 20 or so tracks ahead of us but there is plenty of space so no problem getting fresh tracks. Nothing is very steep, just nice!

Skier on the Mont Mallet glacier with the Grandes Jorasses in the background Skier on the Mont Mallet glacier Skier on the Mont Mallet glacier

NOTE: This ski tour requires a good fitness level and a fair bit of previous touring experience. You need to be comfortable climbing up 40-45 degree snow-slopes with crampons and ice axe. This tour can be guided on request.

Contact us for more information.

photo-blog Martina Palm 11 Feb 2008