Sunday 14th March was the second day of our five day FFME ski guide assessment. We started from Granier (le Granier Oratoire (1308m)) at around 9h30 climbing westwards to the village of le Chapieu (1687m) then la Pesse (1767m) finally arriving at our destination under the col de la Legette (2229m) where we would be doing some snow study and avalanche rescue work. The route is very pretty passing through woods at the beginning with views over the Vanoies then a series of little summer villages.

here is the chapelle of Our Lady of the Snows (Notre dame des neiges).

Chrystel and Patrick with the Mt Pourri behind.

the interesting north facing Roche de Janstan couloir would have to wait for another day.

Many of the chalet were protected by these “tourne” giving a clue as to which slopes tended to avalanche

Just below the col.

By the time we had finished it was 16h00 (yes really!, a busy day) and the snow had begun to refreeze so the descent was a mix of totally humid snow on slopes that still had sun and frozen ruts in the shade. Francois the guide, Francine and I found the skiing okay, some of the others struggled with the conditions. The Roche de Janatan looks interesting for next spring. The who area has some really good touring and is about 75 minutes from home so not too far, especially for a weekend.