Tour de Petit Lac

Weather turned calm and clear midweek so I took the opportunity to paddle around the petit lac. I need to get some distance in as I hope to do a marathon around Venice in the spring. The atmosphere and views were so beautiful that i did it the other way round the following day. Squash has given me a video cam as we are scheming up something for the summer. I fitted it to the deck which gives an interesting view of things though you miss the freedom to pan around or take opportunist shots of wild life. So it’s get another camera or paddle with a buddy.

The video turned out long and slow which is in keeping with the experience. I also left in the background sound as I think it conveys the tranquility.

Happy New Year

Masses of things happened at the end of last year. Daughter’s wedding and visit to the UK. Fantstic autumn weather here in Annecy helped me get on with loads of building and renovation work. Then the snow came for Chritmas. And boy did we get a load of the stuff. Must be the best year at least this century. Thus been far too busy to post anything.

Chilling a bit now though so here’s a video of Sunday’s offering.

Mt Blanc – DAFT Challenge – The sequal

Those boys from the Dover and Folkestone hang gliding and paragliding club arec moving on after their success of the Mt BLANC – DAFT Challenge.

They have been raising money for charity ‘see here’  http://www.justgiving.com/DAFT-Challenge

They have also initiated DAFT Challenge 2. So please check out the link and give them some support.

Mont Blanc – DAFT video

Well here is a compilation of various bits we took.

When you’ve stopped laughing I’d be happy to read any suggestions etc.

All the best.

Mont Blanc – Daftest Day of All

Well we did it.

Got to the top in ‘flyable conditions’. Collected some ice. Flew down. Had a pleasant evening with ice from the summit of Mont Blanc in the whisky.

DAFT team on the summit of Mt Blanc

The team rigging their paragliders on the summit of Mt Blanc

Soaring the summit ridge

Me flying down with Mt Blanc in the backgroung

Jenni landing the Ozone Geo with her cargo of ice

The team with Mt Blanc Summit Ice for their drinks at Maison du Moulin

Mt Blanc – Seriously Daft

We’re off. Three days food and cooking kit + climbing kit + wing harness and airbag = a DAFT load of kit.

Anyway we expect to fly Thursday. If not thenn dpwn to the Gouter then back up for Friday.

See you all at St Hillaire.

Mont Blanc – Dafter still

Looking sharp

With bad weather and the possibility of loosing our acclimatisation so hard won we had to do another mountain day.

So yesterday we took the lift to the top of the Agille de Midi to spend the day exercising.

It was blowing a full blizzard and we checked the condition of the arret which looked awsome.

Unfortunately they had to send us down and close the lift because of the bad weather.

We then set off on a dinosaure hunt. At 2500 meters above Lac vieux emmoson we found their footprints preserved in the rock and only just showing through the falling snow. This actually was quite some trip and I resolve to do it again in the summer sunshine. If you’re interested Google Lac emmoson.

Still snowing today. There is over half a meter of fresh powder on the col de midi. The weather will improve but with short days and weaker sun the snow will be slow to transform and the three mt blancs route to the top from the cosmiques hut will remain at high risk of avalanche for three or four days.

The Gouter beckons so presently this our favoured route. The mountain may have other ideas. Never-the-less we remain committed and optomistic especially as today a wing arrived for Jennie – Big Big thanks to Russ and Ozone.

Thank you Ozone

More will follow and I will fill out the details and also include pictures.

Mt Blanc – Dafter and dafter

So off we set on Monday full of anticipation and daring do to catch the lift and toddle along to the hut so as to start our mountain preparations the following morn.

Lesson 1  This in France. In France they close lifts unexpectedly.

We found the lift closed. It had closed on the Sunday. This presented us with the delight of an unexpected ‘hut grind’  of 1250 meters – What fun.

With packs, said grind was done in 3hrs 30. to find us sunning ourselves and taking tea. The chaps were not put off.

I wanted to start at 4 the following day but the guardian insisted that rising at 5.30 would do and he assigned us to a dormitory. We cooked a scrumtious meal and eat it before the setting sun. Then off to bye byes.

Up and off in the morning, scrambled through the boulder screes and found the glacier in the dark. Donned crampons and rope then off we went. Made good time, crossed several crevasses and found the Col supirieur de Tour. This was somewhat changed – the upper section being longer and steeper. this section was also more polished. We were still able to move together so little time was lost.

Over to Switzerland and the Trient Plateau. We then soon arrived at the foot of the Aguille de Tour Rocks. It was hot. We were later than the mountain demanded. We should have left at 4.

Lesson 2 Listen to advice but decide for yourself.

I crossed the rimaye (nasty big deep crevasse where the glacier meets the rock) and scaled the steep ice with the others following. The angle relented a bit but the surface was polished water ice being further shon up by water and gravel streaming down it. I stuck in a screw and thought. We would need to climb in relays with protection this would slow us down and the descent would be worse. To crystallise my thinking gravity chimed in. A whacking big rock (about 2ft across) hurtled down  whizzing twixt me and Steve. Being a nimble lad Steve jumped clear. (I’m going to send him to Spain bull fighting. Honestly the pass was brilliant. He timed it to such effect that the rock clipped his pack) Clinging there secured to my screw I began to understand how a duck in a shooting gallery feels. So collectively and incredibly quickly DOWN became our common thought.

Back on the glacier we all agreed – we should have been 2hrs earlier. (and Steve moves fast for a big lad)

Jollied by the brilliant sunshine we strolled happily to the  Cabane de Trient on the far side of the Trient Plateau. Stunning scenery bottomless crevasses.

Up early the following day. Recrossed the Trient in full dark and falling snow. Stunning scenery – bottomless crevasses. Coll de Tour impassable. Col superieur de Tour considerably degraded. Our descent definitely needed a few screws, slings and the rope. We were rather chuffed at the bottom when we saw that the only party attempting to climb up it turned back.

So just the long slog home broken by a pleasant omelet at the refuge de Albert Premier.

We feel stronger and wiser. Jenni Fleming will be joining back in with us as we continue and Ozone have generously sponsored her to a wing as being only 60 kilo compared to chaps nearly twice her size she needs the lightest and best kit possible.

Big thinks in the valley as the mountain is throwing winter storms our way………

I’ll let you know what daft ideas we come up with.

Mt Blanc – DAFT Challenge

The Daft Challenge is taking shape.

Rule no. 1 There are no rules.

But here is a daft idea. Climb Mt Blanc, collect some snow/ice, Take to the air by paraglider carrying the ice/snow and deliver it for appero at Maison du Moulin in the Annecy valley. Not exactly a straight glide but the paragliders amongst you will see that a route over the col de Miage and col de Joly heading for les Saisies and Marlens tickles the imagination. Its a straight line nil wind glide of 11.2 : 1 so it’s on the edge of dooability.

We are up for it and tomorrow we do our first acclimatisation sorti.

This is the plan -

My Tandem buddy and I will meet up with the rest of the  guys on Monday in Cham.

The plan is to walk to the Albert premier refuge in the afternoon evening (2702 meters) and spend the night there.

Early next morning (5am) head up the Tour glacier, cross the col supierier de tour (3289 M), continue on the Trient glacier for the foot of the rocks of the Aguille de Tour, leave the crampons and climb the easy rocks to the top (3542 M).

Climb down to the glacier, cross the plateau du trient for the col de Orny (3098 M) then up the rocks to the Cabin du Trient refuge (3170 M)

Spend the night there.

Leave the Refuge early the next day, cross the plateau for the Col de Tour, cross this then climb the Petite Fourche (3520 M). descend the Tour glacier, pass the Albert premier refuge, then back down to Cham.

I’ll post a report when we get back.

Wish us luck

This gives us two long easy days getting used to the kit, practising all the skills we will need on Mt Blanc and acclimatising to altitude. Thursday will probably be a rest day which will include some flying.

Pointe d’Arcalod 2217 m.

From my bedroom window I have clear view in the morning of the imposing sumit ridge of this the heighest Mountain in the Bauges.  As well as it’s greater height it differs from many of the mountains in the region as one must use ones hands to reach the top. The scrambling though simple is probably more than my dog could manage and it might be wise to take a walking rope so as to assure children. Probably most useful on the descent.

Twas a beautiful autumn morning and we left the car park at the Sythanex ski station above Faverge at 8 am.

The marked path to the Col des Orgeval indicated 2 1/2 hours and we did this without much trouble in 2.  One passes by way of a farm which affords shelter and cheese in the summer. From here we could see sleepy Marlens waking up

Next the path enters the cwm and climbs the low ridge beyond where it splits for Choriand on the left and the descent to the col on the right ( Sign Posted).  On the descent one has a clear view of the scrambling to come.

 

Scrabling up always seems far less tiring than walking.  One quickly gains height.  The views and interest constantly improve and all too sudenly you arive at the top.  The descent as always proved more tiring.

We were at the top before noon and had not hurried.  We did pause 2 or 3 times on our way up.

The panorama is excellent. 360 degrees of spectacular alpine sumits and vales.

 

                                                               

 

From the top I learned that the sumit visible from my bedroom is false being a meter or two lower but further forward so Adrian and I descided that next time we’d take the North Ridge route as is being followed by two climbers in the picture below.

 

 

All in all a great day out.

 

Great Weekend

 

Friday Morning

 

Friday dawned clear and I had to pick up Lynda from Geneva.  We were back in time for a flight at Plan Fait.  Lynda managed 40 odd minutes in the light thermals and I came down after an hour and a half of light delicate thermalling.  A good start and it looked even better for Saturday. 

 

 

 

Light breeze on launch

 

 Saturday’s plans were to begin with a walk up to the Entrevernes take off just to sample the morning air.  It was brilliant – a light breeze on the slope to help us off.  Lynda flew around chasing the lift and landed at the Doussard landing field.  I cruised the ridge for a while and landed to collect the car.

 

Things just kept getting better.  We went back to the house for a quick lunch, picked up Kat and Mark and headed for Plan Fait.  The sun was high and pilots were climbing to the Dent de Lanfon.  We joined them flew a while then landed in time for a late afternoon flight home from Montmin.  Three beautiful flights and time now to prepare the bonfire, fireworks and BBQ.  Enjoy the Gallery and you’ll get an idea of how it all went.  Sunday proved different but equally special so I’m doing a separate Post.

 

Friday Morning

Saturday evening

the walk up

Light breeze on launch

Pas de Roc to Monument Plateau de Glieres

This shot shows the spectacular route up the cliff face 

The route

 

 

Here is a Google earth shot of the route It is clearly waymarked from start to finish. About an hour to the top of the falls followed by another hour and a half over the plateau to the monument car park.

 

The Gallery gives an idea of this unusual path and the variey of mountain terrain which is covered.

 

The route

Ski Touring – Ski Rando

Snow was forecast for Friday onwards so Joan and I want to our appartement in the hills.  I spent 4 days laying the first traces on the North slopes of the Bargy.  No car just straight out of the door and back, shower, munch – heaven in deep deep powder.

The dog loved it too.

This is one walk – up to Lac Benit – one of my favourite places;

This was the view out in the morning

looking out in the morning

 

I sorted the kit – dressed up and set off

view from the garden

 

Mont Saxonnex is a small French village ski domain with a lot of mountain to explore.

The ski area

 I set off following the deserted pistes and forest trails.

Winter sunshine

 

Silence

Chunky the faithfull hound leads the way through the forest

Chunky leads out

 and we lunch at the lake

The Top table

 

Under the ‘Eyes of the Bargy’

The Eyes of the Bargy

Looking back

Lac Benit

Chunky and I head home

The route home

 All in all a great day out.

Summary

Pleasant enough week.  Exercised the dog a lot.  Fought and won a battle with Orange and Livebox on Tuesday?. Done quite a bit of DIY. Played a bit with French admin and the Mairie – always good to pass the time.

Thursday was brilliant and clear but very stable – Paraglided down from Plan Fait.

Friday went Ski Rando up Sullens. Beautiful route, wonderful powder snow and back to the restaurant in time for an omlette

La Clusaz ski domain opens this weekend so I suppose I’ll have to pay a visit. 

The sun is coming up

Off to La Saisies first for a bit of Rando and to get my low rate season pass

Big question – Do I take the paraglider?  It’s a hard life.

As it turned out we just had time for a gentle walk.

Adrian stroles along

Then it was home to some Bloke cooking – big pot, bottle of wine, warmth ……..

Had a nice day

Ski Rando

Well it finally stopped snowing sometime Saturday night.  Sunday morning was bright and clear with half a meter of fresh powder beckoning.

Of course avalanche conditions were near their worst so we chose a forest route up to a pleasantly sloping Alpine pasture.

The start was from the car park at the Sambuy ski station above Faverge a short drive from the house.  From here one simply follows the signed track which winds it’s way up through the forest.  When you reach the pasture the farm can be seen sitting high in the center of the cwm.

The sun was warm and we enjoyed a pleasant lunch before our exhilarating return down the fluffy slopes.

Chunky sniffs the air anxious to get going down

The view homeward

Lazy traces home

Next time

Mont Blanc 2011 – The DAFT attempt

You may have heard of Xalp - Well this is completely different it’s called Upalp.

It’s just something we want to try.

Climb to the very top of Mt Blanc (4808meters) carrying our own kit and paraglide down (Not launch off the slopes or some where in the locality but from the summit ice field itself)

Some people are already trying and out of respect I thought I would bring them to your attention so that we may all wish them well.

These are few I’ve heard of (but I may be wrong)

Through Skywings I see that Gavin Foster is running a highly professional attempt at enabling a few clients to paraglide from the summit. He is a local lad with 25 years experience of Chamonix in all it’s guises. So I recon this group has an excellent chance of success.

Thermal Chasers of Green Dragons Club run by Andy Shaw will be in the region. For two years now they have had their eye on a crack at the top. If the weather proves suitable they are sure to have a go.  Andy is one if not the longest serving paragliding instructor in the UK. He is also an exceptional team leader. So again a team with a cracking good chance of success.

The Wild Card is us the DAFT squad.  Dover and Folkestone Team (Dover and Folkestone Hang gliding and Paragliding Club). These have little or no mountain experience but with the optimism of  British amateurs have been training all summer. I am an honorary member of the daft squad and although approaching 65 they have generously let me tag along.

The outsiders  led by Jaano Rassa  This group of 4 / 5 Estonians will be arriving at Maison du Moulin around the 14th and will head for the top probably via the Cosmic 3 mt blancs route.

The DAFT squad will meet up in Cham on Sunday and head up the hill for initial training on Monday. I’ll give an outline of our programme and keep you up to date as things progress. I’ve given the weather gods a bit of a kick so we’re in with a chance. Wish us luck.

DAFT 2

DAFT members   -  Colin, Darren, Irwyn and Jono

– There is also the question of who if anyone will accompany me (Irwyn) on Zippi the tandem. My first choice partner has
stuffed his ankle. I’ve tried  inviting ‘ginger bird’ Jenni but think I’ll have to guarantee that she doesn’t have to walk down before she’ll
accept the ride. If you fancy comming along speak now or forever hold your piece.

Training background.

1 The team was obliged to read “The ascent of Rum Doodle” the masterpiece on mountaineering.

2 I will  make a collection of everyone’s personal training history if we are successful.

For my part it has been a bit haphazard mainly consisting of living life to the full and having a ball, being dragged out by
mates to cycle such things as the col de liseran and the col de galibier (did I say mates) or running chunky up 1500 meters in less
than 3 hrs. only to find the bugger enjoys himself.

3 We now face an acclimatisation programme. (devised by me)

It takes 10 day to acclimatise and 3 day to lose it. Yet we have to grab a weather window whenever it comes.
This is the biggy which will limit our chances.

This will be our first training peak

Aguille de Tour

Just plain DAFT

The lads from the Dover and Folkestone hang gliding and paragliding club have spread their wings and after the success of their Mt Blanc – DAFT Challenge are now going for DAFT 2

So far their efforts have raised quite a sum for charity.

Go here http://www.justgiving.com/DAFT-Challenge