Nice and easy because I have a slight cold and sore throat so had to climb at a reasonable rate without forcing too much, especially as I was breaking trail.

Choice was between ski touring, skating or staying in bed... or doing some work. The avalanche bulletin wasn't encouraging for ski touring.

I had a limited amount of time so started higher up than yesterday at les Meunieres. I took the fields finding a gap at the top of the first field, it is quite a good plan.

Follow the Giclas route as far as the Roc d'Arguille http://pistehors.com/combe-de-giclard.14562522013.htm.

I wanted to see if I could climb directly from the salt depot at the Pont de la Gorgette but the path disappears into the woods and it is not clear where it goes.

Long gone are the days when you could make first tracks on a Sunday after snow on the Virgule.

Another wonderful day in the Chartreuse. We climbed by to the Belles Ombres by the eponymous col. Descent by the couloir which was a bit ravaged with "steps".

I'd skied this couloir with Luc in 2009 after a detailed reccy in 2006 both in the winter and summer. Unfortunately it was skied a few days prior to our visit.

If snow cover permits park on D282 main road 500 meters after village on parking on right (pt 941).

Off piste session in St Hilaire. We did an upper and mid fantom village with a detour via some of the hospital complex where there was quite a bit of fresh snow on a humid tracked base.