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Col du Lauteret via le Rouare, Gresivaudan, Alps, France

This is a nice quiet little climb to the Col du Lauteret (not THE col du Lauteret) by Prabert in the French Belledonne mountains near to Grenoble.
2013-08-06 09:46:24

Col d'Hurtières

DescriptionThe Col d'Hurtières is a nice little climb out of the Gresivaudan valley near Tencin.
2013-07-22 10:52:03

Via dei Colli Morning Ride

Still suffering from a broken rib due to bike crash so couldn't push it on the flat although largely ok on the hills (different position).
2013-07-13 06:51:38

Castiglione d'Intelvi

Not feeling great, start of some flu bug.
2013-07-10 06:17:01

Foothills of Lake Maggiore (Stresa / Baveno)

Short training route. From Stresa ride down the lake to Beligrate where you take a right turn to the village (one way - Via Novembre). Pass under the railway line to the Via Panorama to Cologna.
2013-07-08 08:44:49

Stresa to Mottarone; Lake Maggiore; Italy

This is the classic climb in the area to the ski resort of Mottarone from Stresa. From the coast road follow road signs for Mottarone near the Borremeo Palace Hotel.
2013-07-07 07:12:14

Sunset on the Vans

Rob emailed me to see if I wanted to have a beer with him at the summit of the Grand Van under the setting sun, around 21h30 at the this time of the year.
2013-06-13 15:15:22

Grand Van from Chamrousse

From the Recoin (1650m - best conditions late season), Roche Beranger (1750m) or Bachat Bouloud climb to the col des Lessines (2100m) via the Croix de Chamrousse (2253m) and Lacs Roberts (1998m).
2013-06-13 14:54:31

Little Saint Bernard Pass

A big ride with Mike from Aime la Plagne to the Petit St Bernard pass. We'd heard it was still closed to traffic from la Ros so thought it would be a good plan.
2013-06-04 13:16:36

Col de la Croix de Fer

Got the train to St Jean de Maurienne arriving in the early afternoon. A long 2h30 up to the col with a detour. It is a bit of a drag with hard climbing after St Sorlin.
2013-05-27 17:39:59

Charvet West and North

With the fresh snow, wind and uncertain weather I decided to avoid the Belledonne today (the conditions were very good early in the morning looking at other reports) and check out the North side of th
2013-05-26 19:00:58

Col de Mouilles South

DescriptionClimb on the south side from Brignoud. The road is relatively quiet. The first few kms are hard but it flattens out a bit afterwards. There is a cafe at the Col but it is not always open.
2013-05-21 14:27:59

05/14/2013 In the shadow of l'Etape

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.
2013-05-14 16:12:56

A taste of winter on the Dent du Pra

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.
2013-05-13 22:08:07

Dent du Pra by the Aigleton

Habert d'Aiguebelle, 1740mComments on route: The majority of the route is exposed to the South-West so transforms later in the day.
2013-05-13 22:00:00

Mont Granier by the Pas de la Porte

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.
2013-05-09 19:47:27

Grand Rocher Classic

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.
2013-05-06 18:36:45

Grand Rocher from the Barioz cross country ski area

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.
2013-05-06 18:23:58

Dog Pass Tour

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.
2013-05-05 21:27:37

Dôme des Oudis

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.
2013-05-05 21:16:02

First virgule of 2013

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.
2013-05-03 20:43:30

Col du Baure

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.
2013-05-01 22:25:48

Col du Baure by the Manival

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.
2013-05-01 22:16:56

Conquering an iconic couloir

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.
2013-05-01 18:56:54

Chamechaude Folatière Lapin

Spotting a short weather window on Sunday morning I called Luc to see if he wanted to do a quick Chamechaude.
2013-04-28 23:28:13

Chamechaude by the Canyon

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.
2013-04-10 23:05:34

Bec Charvet West Bowl

Weather cleared around 5pm and as it had stayed cool it seemed like a good chance to check out the fresh snow and revisit the west face and bowl of the Bec Charvet.
2013-04-09 23:35:54

Dent de Crolles express

A rapid visit to the Dent de Crolles.
2013-04-05 00:09:20

Dent de Crolles: Face SW by the Pas de Oeille

Iconic summit dominating the Gresivaudan valley and the town of Crolles. Steep skiing with exposure adding to the mix.From the winter parking (1220 meters - 1410m later in the spring).
2013-04-05 00:03:23

Pic de la Belle Etoile south couloir from Rivier

Morning trip. The snow was refrozen with good drip on all south aspects. Climb to the col de la Belle Etoile using ski crampons. West slopes are skiable crust (depending on how heavy you are).
2013-04-03 19:16:44

Pic de la Belle Etoile south couloir from Rivier

Classic spring ski tour with a sustained slope at the end.From the village take the GR549 to the north (Pays Tour des Lac des Sept Laux).
2013-04-03 19:13:04

Exploring the tracks between Crolles and la Terrasse

A short circuit to explore some of the tracks between Crolles and la Terrasse but generally staying in the valley.
2013-04-02 19:14:47

Autumnal Cold

Despite a persistent cold I wanted to take advantage of this wonderful autumn day. Nothing difficult. Superb countryside with the Chartreuse and especially the Belledonne as backdrops.
2013-04-02 19:05:38

Coteau de la Terrasse

Decided to give skiing a rest due to the poor refreezes over the last couple of days and get the MTB out for a 28km route starting at the house and going down the Gresivaudan valley towards la Terrace
2013-04-02 19:00:59

Côteau de la Terrasse by the valley

From Crolles Town Hall take cycle path to the Chateau de Bernis then track to les Echelles.
2013-04-02 18:43:52

Tete de Bostan, normal route

Park at L'Erigné as close to the end of the road as you can, then follow the summer road upwards towards the Lac des Mines d'Or (signposted), this road is pisted into a walking track regularly i
2013-04-02 11:42:37

Pointe du Gargotton, Couloir NW

From Mollard Ciseaux climb the road towards Prodin. At the hairpin at 1080 meters continue to the Trois Sources.
2013-04-01 22:29:11

Combe de Giclard

Tour near home with Chris who didn't know the Giclard route. We started low to add some vertical.
2013-03-30 23:05:39

Barres de Tencovaz

I'd been away for a few days, bad weather so no skiing lost. I got back around noon on Wednesday. A glorius day of sun and blue skied. Not too warm. Maybe a chance to get in a quick west face.
2013-03-30 11:39:42

Mont Granier from Tencovaz

ClimbFrom the Station du Granier, when the resort is open you are not allowed to climb on the ski runs. This is pretty strictly controlled by the pisteurs.
2013-03-30 00:03:03

Tour de St Hilaire, N-->S, Chartreuse, France

The climb from la Terrace or via the Chateau du Carré at Lumbin to St Bernard du Touvet is 7km over 635m giving an average of just over 9% but after km4 there is a 1km section at 11%.
2013-03-26 16:52:25

Combe de Giclard

The Giclas is normally a "safe" tour in the forests of the Chartreuse. Despite the risk 2 I was worried about windslab. Well it turned out not to be as safe as all that.
2013-03-25 21:04:01

Combe de Giclard

Climb to the summit of the Pravouta (see topo Pravouta SE Face) without removing skins traverse to the summit of the Roc d'Arguille (1768m).
2013-03-25 15:02:37

Bec Charvet, West Face

Parked at 1220 although the snowline was lower. Quick climb to the summit of Bec Charvet with my fats (100mm) then a descent into the west bowl which I hadn't skied before as far as the road.
2013-03-25 00:06:38

Bec Charvet, North Face

ClimbFrom the parking at pt1220m above le Baure or higher later in the Spring follow the road to the Col du Coq (named after the Rock Ptarmigan that are common in the sector).
2013-03-24 19:44:02

Return of the Lucio

The big return of Luc from bivouak.net after his second paragliding accident. He seemed to climb pretty well given the pins in his ankle and his elderly Scarpa boots.
2013-03-24 00:02:28

Cabane de Berger

Huge amount of snow on the runs at St Hilaire today. I was accompanied to the top of the runs by a very intelligent sheep dog who seemed to understand English.Weather: Poor refreeze. Warm.
2013-03-22 23:26:27

Cabane de Berger Rocher du Midi

From les Vials the simplest is to climb to the top of the pistes (watch out for skiers).
2013-03-22 23:15:12

Pravouta from les Meunières

Quick tour to check out the refreeze, which was pretty good. Still lots of snow above 1200 meters. Risk rising to 3 in the afternoon. Snow very sticky below 1100 meters.
2013-03-22 00:20:00

Pravouta from les Meunières

Quick trip between school runs to take advantage of the snow. Starting from 1000m didn't quite leave enough time to make the summit of Pravouta. Too much trail to break in 30cm of fresh snow.
2013-03-21 23:59:35

Pravouta, SE Face

Habert du Pravouta. Not guarded. Under NW face of Pravouta.Comments on route: The Col du Coq / Pravouta is a wintering site for Rock Ptarmigan. Take care to stick to existing climbing routes.
2013-03-21 22:01:59

Chamechaude, West Face

ClimbFrom the Teleski du Chamchaude parking at 1250 meters about 1km before the col de Porte follow the ski run. After about 1km you join the main run from the Col de Porte on your left.
2013-03-20 18:06:38

Long day on Chamchaude

Starting from le Sappey seemed like a good idea. It is only 250 meters under the normal drag lift trailhead but adds a considerable amount of horizontal distance.
2013-03-19 19:57:49

Chamchaude from le Sappey

From the village of le Sappey en Chartreuse climb the Snow shoe trail that follows the edge of the woods of les Cotes to the left of pt 1045m.
2013-03-19 19:52:20

Pic de la Belle Etoile, retrappage

After our woodland trip from Bellecombette in the Chartreuse which lacked snow cover this was a catch-up trip to actually do some real skiing. Snow was fairly windblown on the ascent and summit ridge.
2013-03-18 22:59:42

Pic de la Belle Etoile, North-West Face

From the resort take the GR Pays de 7 Laux trail. If you start from the Oursière a small track descends to the Chalet du Pra.
2013-03-18 22:47:54

Lances de Malissard, climb by the West Couloir, Descent Bellefont

Fantastic day on the Mallisards. Bottom of couloir lacked snow but we were climbing. All the south west slopes were crusty and light cloud stopped the sun melting this.
2013-03-18 14:26:32

Lances de Malissard, West Couloir

ClimbFollow the forest trail that leads to the Col de la Saulce. At 1170 meters do not take the path that continues to the right but continue North.
2013-03-18 14:02:18

Pas de la Rousse

The Pas de la Rousse, East Couloir is almost the last line of the east Chartreuse that I've not skied. It is supposed to be the steepest line in the range.
2013-03-18 10:11:37

Pas de la Rousse, East Couloir

Climb to the Col de l'AlpeFrom the village of les Prés take the forest road direction in the direction of Pre Orcel.
2013-03-18 09:41:50

Foehn Call

I wasn't free on the Monday so Chris and I decided on a short trip on Tuesday "faut de mieux".
2013-03-15 23:53:59