Vertical Climbed: 982 meters (3,222 feet)
Vertical Descended: 982 meters
Avalanche Risk: 2
Snowline: 1,060
A rapid ski tour before stormaggedon (well according to the forecasts) with a blistering climb to the Aulp du Seuil then a quick ski to the foot of the Mallisards. I didn't have time to climb the Mallisards. Snow is very good in the Aulp du Seuil on the west faces. It is crusty on SE to S aspects. Forest is almost skiable as the snow has fallen from the branches but the couloir really lacks snow. Kicked off a small slab on the left bank of the couloir, probably formed by the north wind over the last few days. These kind of weaknesses could cause havoc once the storm blows through. The foot of the couloir lacks snow with a lot of brushwood baring the exit. Some stones on the path too.
Timing for the climb
VAM 931m/h, top of pistes: 14:17, l'Alpette: 00:28:14, top of cirque: 43:54, col: 49:41
Avalanches
Risk 2 with S and SW and NE to NW slopes at most risk following 3 days of strong northerly winds.
Route Taken: Descended to the valley but didn't climb to the Mallisards.
Weather: Sunny with some low cloud.
Access: Clear, snow in fields from St Bernard.
Country: France Area: Chartreuse Trailhead: Col de Marcieu
