A quick Grand Rocher during a break in the poor weather. Very cold and windy at the summit and the snow was a bit windblown until the NW facing bowls.

Excellent choice at the start of the season due to the high road access and on days where the avalanche risk makes other routes dangerous.

I've been ill for the last week so this was a short test to see how things are improving. The last couple of hundred meters were quite hard going.

From the ski resort of Pipay () climb to the Trou Charbonniere (coal mine) then Col du Pipay to the Dome des Oudis (2124m). Descent by the same route or the west or south facing slopes of the Oudis.

First virgule of the year (ok I already skied the near neighbour, the Pas de Ragris). Very good snow conditions. Some tracks alraedy but enough room to have fun.

With good valley snow cover over the last few years this route has become quite popular with people touring from their houses in Bernin and Crolles.

Note that from 450 meters only the main track next to the river/torrent is really skiable or climbable. Other tracks are full of brushwood.

What's to say. A day not to be missed. Fantastic snow, fantastic weather. We wer in Loic's back yard so it was no surprise to come across him on the mountains.

Spotting a short weather window on Sunday morning I called Luc to see if he wanted to do a quick Chamechaude.

With the great snow conditions in the Chartreuse this year I was keen to try a new route on the Chamchaude and explore the mountain after a reccie this winter.