DescriptionA 730 meter climb from Voreppe on this hidden gem. The gradient is a leg breaking 11% average (4km over 12%) with ramps of 17%.

A long ride up the valley from Omegna on a road that gets steeper and steeper. There is a cafe at the end. Monti Capello is the trail head for walks into the mountains. Road is not too busy.

This challenging climb begins in the center of Omegna. Following the lake initially you traverse the hamlet of Cireggio.

Second rollerski of the spring. Great news is they've finished all the resurfacing work on the Bois Francais sector, so no more tree roots.

Probably the last rolleski of the autumn before the real ski season starts, youpee.

We've had quite a bit of fresh snow over the last 5 days. The automatic weather station at the Col de Porte (1300 meters) showed two falls of 30 + 25cm.The problem is, it is May, and snow melts, fast.

The Col de Mottes between 2500-2650 is very icy. 5 to 10 cm of fresh snow on a frozen base. Mike did it all on skis (and couteaux), while I climbed the last 50 m with crampons.

Follow the trail to the habert d'Aiguebelle (refuge, renovated in 2008 but closed).

First and last Chamechaude for this year, probably, given the snow conditions. It is surprising how much it has melted since Wednesday when i was last in the area.

Tour of the Astragal black. The has been a good refreeze and the snow was firm, a little slow in the sun but the route is fairly shaded except on the plateau.