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| | |-+  March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
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Author Topic: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix  (Read 1849 times)
tabski
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Posts: 83
March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« on: 03/03/12, 01:02 PM »
The snow in this part of France is a'ight. Actually kinda thin considering the record snowfall numbers. But high winds, extremely broken glaciers, and a super warm final two weeks of February mean a lot of the classic skis are currently not in condition.

Decided a moderate s-facing route was in order. S face of the Col des Droites. Took the Aguille du Midi tram up at 3pm and made it to the Couvercle refuge surrounded by alpenglow-lit peaks. This has to be one of the more spectacular spots in a spectacular area. Climbed and skied the line the next day in extremely warm temps, but got on it early enough it was still quite firm. Back in town for lunch.

Routemap. Blue marks the hut.


Couvercle!


Davide and Les Grandes Jorasses from the boulder that covers.


Climb. photo Davide


Ready to drop in. photo Davide


PJ shreds it.
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Griff
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Re: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« Reply #1 on: 03/03/12, 06:39 PM »
Looks like fun. I stayed in that hut as well as a few others climbing in Chamonix in '88. Wish I was there!
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MW88888888
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Re: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« Reply #2 on: 03/04/12, 07:26 AM »
Making lemonade never looked so good.  Great tour.
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Oyvind_Henningsen
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Re: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« Reply #3 on: 03/04/12, 08:50 AM »
sight for sore eyes after a rainy day tour at stevens yesterday, have fun Drew
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Lytt til erfarne fjellfolk!
niko
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Re: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« Reply #4 on: 03/04/12, 01:36 PM »
Ah, lucky Tab. I remember sitting on the covering boulder and not wanting to ever leave... In winter, did you still have to climb the ladders to get to the Couvercle hut? That would be like a waterfall climb in some places. N
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tabski
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Re: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« Reply #5 on: 03/05/12, 01:00 AM »
We were checking out those ladders -- they're nuts! Overhanging in places. Luckily the gullies straight from the Leschaux to the Talefre glaciers are still snow-filled and very easy to ascend. They melt out quite quickly and become impassable.
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daveb
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Re: March 2, 2012, S face Col des Droites, Chamonix
« Reply #6 on: 03/05/12, 02:17 PM »
Please bring back a couple of the tram things - I have a few locations in need of installation.  Whatever is over the hut looks like a pretty elaborate structure, must be a sunshade to keep the PNWerners feeling at home.
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