Took the train up to Montmelian to ride the cult climb of the Marocaz. It is a local favourite as the SE side has little traffic and is very Provencal in character.

Super refreeze but windy on the climb up with some cloud but sun for the descent with a little return to winter in the Venetiers. There was one spot of about 10m on the path that had no snow.

Habert d'Aiguebelle, 1740mComments on route: The majority of the route is exposed to the South-West so transforms later in the day.

From the forest hut follow a trail to the SE. At 930m at a crossroads the best is to take a marked path that cuts the zig-zags of the forest trail to a crossroads at 1250m.

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.