Thu, 3 June 2021
Minimum altitude: 1,929 meters
Distance: 9.4 km
Slope Aspect: North-West
Vertical Climbed: 319 meters (1,047 feet)
Vertical Descended: 318 meters
Ok it is well known that a number of mountain passes in Europe are suitable for late season nordic skiing or crust skiing as it is sometime called. Although with this week's tropical temperatures there was a less than optimal crust layer. The 3 of June is also a bit late but the col has only just opened despite there not being that much snow. Looking at the map there is a watershed that takes you up to another level and along to 2110 m. which I didn't explore. The lower plateau at 1800 meters also didn't have enough snow on it but it is possible to tour to the col d'Apire etc. from the road at this altitude. There is between 50 - 100cm snow depth at the col on the north facing slopes.
I was on skate skis, classic might have been better given the snow conditions but less skiable on the descents.
Average refreeze. Best on true west facing slopes. The "neve" type snow with the brown layer was best, the smoother white snow was humid. Quite a bit of "relief" in places.
