photo01 (linecroulante+.jpg Kb)

This is a interesting ski-mountaineering traverse. Access from the Grands Montets cablecar, climb the North/East couloir of Col de Cristaux and descend the south side down to the Talèfre Basin . On the ridge, from Col de Cristeaux up to Aiguille Qui Remue, you have magnificents views over Grands Jorasses, Mont Blanc, Triolet…360° degrees!!!

photo02 (IMG_2427.JPG Kb)

The North/East face of Col de Cristaux was in perfect powder conditions but it wasn’t possible to ski it from its summit. The last 200m was rocky…

photo03 (IMG_2429.JPG Kb)

We met two guys, one from Finland and one from California, that skied down the N/E face.

photo04 (IMG_2439.JPG Kb)

I have a feeling that the South/East couloir of Col de l’Amône is in good condition. You can see the beginning of the couloir at your right.

photo05 (IMG_2444.JPG Kb)

Climbing up to the col. The snow here was sometimes really deep.

photo06 (IMG_2448.JPG Kb)

Almost there…This was my first skitour together with Linus Hougland. Fit and talanted skier from Sweden living in Chamonix. He’s just about practising for the next year Ultra-Trail running competion, Courmayeur-Chamonix(96km, +5600m).

photo07 (IMG_2451.JPG Kb)

North face of Triolet.

photo08 (IMG_2453.JPG Kb)

Almost there…

photo09 (IMG_2455.JPG Kb)

Pointe Superieur Pierre à Joseph with its North/East Couloir: unbelievable dry this year.. Me and Max skied it last season in perfect powder snow!!

photo10 (IMG_2457.JPG Kb)

Aiguille Ravanel and Mummery, beautiful!

photo11 (IMG_2458.JPG Kb)

The start of the ridge. We roped up from here to the first rappel(60m) on Aiguille Qui Remue.

photo12 (IMG_2464.JPG Kb)

After a second rappel(30m).. We’re in the couloir!

photo13 (IMG_2465.JPG Kb)

The snow was to heavy. We were a little bit late. I recommend to sleep in the Argentière hut to get an earlier start.(if you not very quick..) At about 12.00-13.00 o’clock the snow has melted sufficient(of course it also depens of weather and temperature). Later in the afternoon, it can be dangerous with heavy avalanches. This time anyway, it wasn’t dangerous. (The heavy snow wasn’t deep enough)

photo14 (IMG_2466.JPG Kb)

The couloir is 50° degrees at the beginning. Further down it’s 40°-45° degrees. 500m vertical meters. First skied by Pierre Tardivel and Fabien Meyer in spring -00.