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Report: 27 September 2024

La Chamoniarde mountain conditions report for 27 September 2024.

Summary

We have autumn down here, high up it's already winter. The north faces are well plastered, unfortunately the freezing level has risen. A wind speed of 180 kilometres per hour was recorded on the Aiguille du Midi! The good news is that the snow and wind have filled up the rimayes, the bad news is that it has also camouflaged the crevasses. The story (of this wintery weather) is not finished so we will update you more asap.

Hiking

The ground is now unusually slippery for hiking even in anticyclonic periods. It's recommended to be well equipped for this.

Huts

It's the end of the season for the mountain huts, we wish them a good holiday! In the area the only refuges open from next week are the Torino, Plan de l'Aiguille, Loriaz, Tré la Tête and Les Prés.

Uplift

The Mont Blanc tramway and the panoramic close on Sunday. The Montenvers train, the Midi and the Skyway stay open until the end of October / start of November.

 

Bonne raclette!

 

 

Translated with kind permission from an original report by La Chamoniarde.

Readers are reminded that conditions in mountain environments are prone to (sometimes rapid) change and that they should use their own best judgement when visiting them.

 

 

 

Report: 13 September 2024

La Chamoniarde mountain conditions report for 13 September 2024.

After autumn we get winter!

This morning, the ground was white down to 1,600m. Yesterday's snowfall of 20cm at the Aiguille du Midi and 40cm at the refuge du Goûter was caused by a strong northerly wind that has been blowing since yesterday (and is expected to continue until the beginning of next week). Beware of the risk of avalanches and precarious snow bridges.

Aiguille du Midi Web Cam, 13 September 2024
 
Hold on for rock climbing in the Mont Blanc massif and the Aiguilles Rouges. With the current temperatures, climbing (in the sun) in the Arve valley, the Aravis or down south could be a good idea!

As far as mixed routes are concerned, it's still too early, even if these snowfalls will improve conditions on some of them (the Cosmiques arête, for example).

As far as snow routes are concerned, some are still possible if the weather conditions are favourable. As a reminder, the commitment at this time of year is greater (ski lifts and refuges closed, shorter days, cold, low numbers of visitors, etc.) and getting out into the high mountains requires a solid experience of the high mountains. Don't aim for weather windows that are too short or unpredictable. 

Mont Blanc via the Goûter: The Goûter refuge closed early due to a technical problem (the winter room is now open). Fresh snow, a northerly wind forecast at 80/100km/h at 4,000m (the wind feels like ice up there): the climb looks serious.

The wintery blast is also slowing down hiking activity (which should improve as soon as the sun returns). For those of you who are keen on snowshoeing, I'm sorry, but you'll just have to wait a bit.

An overview of the status of refuges: 

Massif du Mont Blanc 

- l'Envers des Aiguilles closes on Monday 16/09
- The Argentière, Charpoua, Couvercle, Leschaux, Requin, Grands Mulets, Goûter, Durier and Plan Glacier huts are closed.  

Aiguilles Rouges

- Pierre à Bérard closed (no winter room) 

Remember to bring gas, water and food if you plan to go to an unguarded hut. 
 
Index Web Cam, 13 September 2024

As far as ski lifts are concerned, this is the last weekend for the Brévent ski area (closing on Sunday 15/09). 

The Flégère ski area remains open (closing on 22/09), as do the Montenvers train, the Aiguille du Midi + Panoramique cable cars and the Mont Blanc tramway.
 
 

Translated with kind permission from an original report by La Chamoniarde.

Readers are reminded that conditions in mountain environments are prone to (sometimes rapid) change and that they should use their own best judgement when visiting them.

 

 

 

Report: 6 September 2024

La Chamoniarde mountain conditions report for 6 September 2024.

Our first taste of autumn in the high mountains and the first snow report!

The brief but intense storm on Thursday 5 September deposited 25/30cm of snow on the Aiguille du Midi (it was white and beautiful this morning!). As a result, conditions have improved a little on the arête. The normal route on the Tacul doesnt look very inviting. A large slab has released on Maudit. Some snow on the ledges on the south face of the Aiguille du Midi (see photo below). The traverse of the Vallée Blanche was retracked this morning. Be careful, this snow hides the dryness of some routes and the fragile snow bridges on approaches.

 
The rock is dry around Plan de l'Aiguille!

 
Goûter
 
"Winter is back up here, snow up to the Tête Rousse, and it's freezing. The grand couloir and all the way to the top is fine! Great conditions’.
 

Albert 1er

A little snow above 3,200m. The Arête de la Table is white but the snow will melt quickly. Good conditions on the route. On the other hand, the rimaye on the normal route is very technical and challenging (see photo below). 
 

The Col Supérieur du Tour is dry and sandy. 

Teams on the normal routes of Tête Blanche and Petite Fourche (a few crevasses opening up on the route).


Leschaux

You can climb on the rock routes behind the refuge but its all over for the Grandes Jorasses, which is plastered.
 

Some Early Autumn Logistical Information

Huts: 

As a reminder, the Requin - Argentière - Charpoua refuges are now closed.
The Durier and Plan Glacier huts will close tomorrow evening, Saturday 7 September.
In the "moyenne montagne", the Pierre à Bérard hut has been closed for a week.

Ski lifts: 

The Vallorcine cable car is closed. The Le Tour and Prarion lifts will close on Sunday evening, 8 September.
Tramway du Mont-Blanc: the autumn timetables have been put in place, but there are still special trains for mountaineers with reservations in the refuges (departures at 7.00am - 12.00pm - 3.00pm and returns at 8.12am - 1.12pm - 4.12pm).
Aiguille du Midi: autumn timetable with the first departure at 8.10am and the last descent at 4.30pm.
 
 

Translated with kind permission from an original report by La Chamoniarde.

Readers are reminded that conditions in mountain environments are prone to (sometimes rapid) change and that they should use their own best judgement when visiting them.

 

 

 

Report: 31 August 2024

La Chamoniarde mountain conditions report for 31 August 2024.

A brief update on mountain conditions! 

Emosson, © Pierrot

August is drawing to a close and it's time for some mountain huts to close for the season: 

- The Argentière, Charpoua and Requin huts are now closed. 

- Plan Glacier will close on 7 September. 

 

The Plan Joran gondola closed on 31/08. The Mont Blanc tunnel closes on 2 September at 5pm for 3 months.

 

Activity in the high mountains and on snow routes has been much reduced in recent weeks, with the weather having a lot to do with it. It's time to climb compact rock, or go to the beach. 

 

We've updated our news feed, so you can find the latest reports on conditions here. 

 

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are involved, in any way, in providing us with information, thank you! 

 

Translated with kind permission from an original report by La Chamoniarde.

Readers are reminded that conditions in mountain environments are prone to (sometimes rapid) change and that they should use their own best judgement when visiting them.

 

 

 

More Articles ...

  1. Report: 23 August 2024
  2. Report: 16 August 2024
  3. Report: 9 August 2024
  4. Report: 1 August 2024

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