Ski touring the Haute Route - Day 6
Cabane de Valsorey - Plateau du Couloir - Cabane de Chanrion
Mike going up the steep part, the valley below
There is not much left, but it is rather steep
Bivouac de l'Epaule Isler
In the end the skins win and we make our way to the Epaule du Mt. Avril (good timing) . A small break, literally as Spike manages to break a crown off his mouth ensuing in a little spite of bad humour, and we then ski down into the valley, to Charmotane.
The way up to the Cabane de Chanrion is uneventful and we are soon resting and enjoying another rösti with some beer.
The afternoon is spent getting Spike's humour back up by drinking whiskey and sending Rob out the window and down the emergency rope ladder to get yelled at by the cooks.
A quiet evening ensues as we have not yet decided if the next day will be a hard one or more relaxing..
Col du Sonadon
Early morning once again, very messy, lots of people everywhere, things lost/stolen... Finally we are off, up a slope directly from behind the Cabane de Valsorey, we are quickly forced to remove the skis and put on the crampons and bootpack our way up. It got steep and interesting but never bad or dangerous.
Once on top, at the Plateau du Couloir, a little breather and then a short ski down and up a bit to Col du Sonadon. Another small break and we start on the long way down.
The first part is not so good, a steep bumpy frozen slope, good thing that we skied on the right of the glacier, as once a bit lower we notice that the glacier ends on a 200m cliff...
Once the little steep bumpy part is passed though we are once again in very good snow, all are smiles and enjoying the good but flattish descent.
Unfortunately we did not have enough speed or snow to make it all the way, and a small traverse turns into an uncomfortable uphill as we are not sure wether to put the skins on or to force our way up Everybody is already looking forward to the coming rösti and the beer, but the thoughts bring on confusion and indecision.
everybody going up, from Actionman's point of view