Now into the Second Week - so latest blog is here.

Friday March 12th

Up early as we had to go to Turin in the afternoon to collect a friend who's staying the week. Managed to prise Elaine out of bed as she liked the idea of getting first lift up to do the corduroy and do a wee bit of filming to work on the technique. Good couple of hours and then some nerdy analysis of the technique. Both of us have to work on poles and postion more..........

FROM ELAINE

Up to do the corduroy but just beaten to first lift by the Clubby Meds - which annoyed Baylis. Tee hee. Also found I had brought two different gloves - and both the right hand! So skied in light running gloves that we had in the van. Shows how much warmer it was today!

Did some filming - then followed Baylis off piste (and would NOT let him film me as still feel like a muppet in steeper powder).

Then road trip to Turin to collect Chris. He will be snowboarding tomorrow. Will he tempt us back onto the boards (although would like more powder) or will we persuade him onto skis? Watch this space.

THE DOG'S BLOG

Heard Road Trip and was in the blue kennel on wheels before you could say Allez Up. Barked at all toll booths until I was hoarse. No, silly toi, not horse! Then I was man tired and went to sleep on the sofa while they all went to The Frog.

Noting that it is getting warmer so shedding more of my winter coat - now feel that I have left half a Jack Russell behind in the blue kennel.

Thursday March 11th

Some good touring at last!

Had a hunch that the weather might be good today even though the forecast was for more unsettled weather. Trouble is I really don’t sleep that well from around 04:30 thinking about what exactly I’ll be doing, don’t know whether it’s a mixture of excitement and anticipation of what the morning might have in store, together with anxiety, anxiousness of knowing it’ll just be me out on my own, or more probable just being the wrong side of  50.

Sure enough it was a clear blue sky morning, and I left the house at 08:30 having rung Per (local guide we know) to double check that what I’d planned was safe as I was heading towards the Col Du Lautaret and it’s been very windy up there of late, but with the cold temps the snow should be more stable.

As I parked up I was the first, though there are two cars there buried in the snow, which your mind gets thinking ominous thoughts how maybe their owners never came back in one piece to go home in them.

Just as I was getting ready, a van came round the bend and I recognised it as Per’s, we had a brief chat as he was running late on his way to do Dome du Monetier as he & Stefan are appraising Swedish Guides all this week doing their exams. 

Just put my boots on and another Brit turned up parking behind me. He was a BASI examiner with three BASI instructors that he too was assessing, somehow not in the same league as our friendly Swedes me thinks!

He also had the same Garmont Axon boots as me, and was unaware that there were two forward lean position settings and not just the one, mind you I had the boots for a year before I sussed that out!

Have to be honest in that I was not too sure where I was going to head for as there are a couple of routes that leave that location. I had my PDA phone with the Memory Map software on it so theoretically I could check my route if need be.

Set off at a brisk pace already deciding on two layers; after 15 minutes I was down to a single light thermal with the sweat flowing off me.

I was following some tracks that I could just about make out, but after a while they faded out. I tried to take one route but was still too icy and was nigh on impossible to make any progress (left my ski crampons back in the UK but a mate is arriving with them tomorrow) so had to take another route, and that’s when I sort of took a “wrong turn”, not helped by the blue line I was following on my PDA was not the ski randone route but a summer stream ( lesson learnt) though difficult to view the screen in the bright sunlight , with sweat pouring off my head and my glasses steaming up!

Climbed for just under two hours, just over 750ms until I started to get a wee bit nervous about the terrain, and the only way up was on hard icy snow again, so called it a day and went into downhill mode.

Pretty well followed my ascent on the way down though skiing in softer snow that had not seen so much direct sun and those 15 mins were probably the best descent so far this trip.

Know to many sounds crazy taking 2hrs to walk up and then 15 mins to make it back down, but was not exactly hanging around and the sense of achievement at the end is tremendous as you’ve really earnt those turns!

Back down at the van there were about 7 other vans/cars as many make a day of the ascent, stopping off for tea breaks, picnic lunches etc etc  and it was a great day to be up there touring. That’s the only trouble of going solo you don’t do long stops.

Again looking at the stats probably equates to another cross country half marathon 1hr 55 av hr 145 with a max of 163. So hopefully good cross training for the marathons coming up in April & May.

.Once back home nice lunch on the balcony just in shorts in the sunshine, and then a kip evidently.

Couldn’t be bothered to go back out in the afternoon, would possibly spoil a good day so been typing the blog in the deckchair and editing down photos.

Going to Turin tomorrow to pick a friend who’s coming out for a week.

FROM ELAINE

Felt like the first day of Spring here – sunny, blue skies, birds singing. Decided that I couldn't put off going for a run any longer – did Baylis's back village route, loads of uphill and managed to go up three deadends (which were hills!).. About an hour in total. Didn't ski at all – needed a break (eh not a leg) after keeping up with Baylis for a week!

THE DOG'S BLOG

Here is me modelling the latest coat – aka black knee bandage. I particularly like the way it holds me in like control underwear.

Also here is a way to wear a buff that the guy on the buff stand will not have told you about. Tres chic, non – or do I look like a weasel stuck down a red tunnel?

Wednesday March 10th

Chill out day.......

Forced myself to actually lie in this morning as I did not want to go for a run, and I suspected the weather might not be at its best, and sure enough it was overcast.

Everntually after a long breakfast etc decided to drive into Briancon and let Mrs WC get a bit of retail therapy in, mind you only at the super market!

Then back home for lunch (said it was a chill out day) then as the sun began to make an appearance when up and did a few runs. Sussed out some interesting routes, and did a couple that I'd not done before, and snow was good. Also been eying up a liitle hike, should be good, probably best on skins in a day or two letting the snow settle down.

Think I'm going to have to call the Bureau des Guides in La Grave and see if they're doing any groups etc or hopefully weather will be better and I can do some solo touring.

FROM ELAINE

Sixth day, pain day. No gain, no pain?  Hurting knee and sternum - the latter cos of headfirst dive yesterday off skis aggravating the intensifying bruise from falling down the back of the washing machine (see earlier blog)! So we had relaxed morning and then went for afternoon ski. Soooo did not want to fall again and hurt some more so declined doing some powder with Baylis and did lumpy cruddy unpisted blacks instead. Duh!

THE DOG'S BLOG

In the Frog with my favourte Scottish band, giving it some vocally (me that is). They seem to think I am VERY funny. Yesterday evening went to bar in Le Bez where lots of women came up to me cos they were missing their dogs at home. I got LOTS of attention - shows one dog's loss is another dog's gain.

It has been really cold here - and I had just started shedding my winter coat back in the UK and, much as I try I cannot suck the hairs back on. Hence I am going around here in the freezing cold, HALF NAKED. So She Who Cottonwools Me  saw me shivering and suggested a coat - and I believe would have cut off the arm of her Mountain Hardwear duvet coat had He Who Torments Me not suggested an alternative. Hence I now go out warmly clad in a snug black knee bandage. Not quite Burberrys, I know, but quite Ruff Lauren.

Tuesday March 9th

Powder again but so cold…….

Last evening thought about going to Montgenevre for today, and I was texting a guide I know about some other stuff, mentioning this and his response…“Was there 2day, 20-25 fresh just off the piste” – so that sort of confirmed the decision!

Left Serre at 09:30 in sunshine and clouds and we parked up at Montgenevre.  by 10:00 in quite overcast conditions. Immediately became obvious that there was more snow here and fresh!

At 1800m it was also a lot colder than Serre. As we went up the chair so started to get quite excited at the prospect of all the fresh snow around. Just seems that there most are content to use the pistes!

Skied for a long time with no breaks, through the trees and in various bowls running adjacent to the piste with Mrs WC following along & doing well. Maybe just as well had Elaine in tow as if I was on my own might have been tempted to do some other stuff and with the wind and amount of snow did seem more than the “3” being given. Back on the Missions and working well.

Weather did start to close in towards the end and it was really cold at the top of the lifts with poor visibility, so didn’t mind the suggestion of going back to see if Pooch was ok, as we’d been at it for quite a while with no breaks.

The next blue sky powder day in Montgenevre and with a guide who knows where to go there’s so much to do, great place!

Per a guide I know was touring the Col d’Izoard today, now I don’t think that would have been a lot of fun.

Think the unsettled conditions are set to continue, thought this was meant to be Spring!

FROM ELAINE

Another Frigging Freezing Day At The Office. Finally feeling warm.  Arrived in Mongenevre this am and thought we'd diverted to the Arctic. Wore four layers (three being thermal), a windstopper AND my jacket. Still cold - esp face so seriously considering wearing double buffs in future. Snow was great - and
the resort was EMPTY - some chairs/drags completely deserted.

Followed Baylis off piste (and you didnt have to go far! ) Took one fall to avoid tree and powder was really deep.

Later we headed for Claviere but vis was really bad and it was freezing - managed to do a
head first dive around a corner leaving skis behind (at least bindings work) and pulled
my knee! Sore but still works (still have 6 or so weeks before the Brighton Marathon).


Down to check that Pooch hadn't frozen in the van and, seeing as we had been non-stop finally persuaded Baylis to stop for a hot choc and a pee. Then headed home for a hot bath.
 
THE DOG'S BLOG

I heard "road trip" this morning and was determined not to be left behind. When we stopped in the blue kennel on wheels I thought we were in some sort of fridge - the water in my mobile water bowl (actually an ashtray) was frozen. 

They started to put on those clanky boots so I dived under a towel, a sweatshirt  and a duvet jacket (that She Who Cottonwools Me thoughtfully provided).

Then it was So Long Suckers - I let Them go and freeze their buts off. Tee hee.

Monday 8th March

10-15cm Blue Sky Powder Day

 Forecast was for overcast conditions again today, but woke up to not a cloud in the sky. Must admit to having other matters on my mind, namely the fact that we’ve had no hot water for the past three days. We told the agency about it on Saturday and they said they would get someone to sort it first thing Monday……..I just had my doubts that they would remember as that’s sort of been par for the course in other dealings with them.

So decided a run was in order with a couple of objectives, seeing if I could run to, and remember where some friends (Stefan & Pia) live above Chantermerle in yet another old village, La Villard-Laté, then on to the agency to see if they had organised the plumber then back home via the patisserie!

Managed to find an old track from the village of Panaches that went to La Villard, but could I remember which house it was, thought I’d found it but the guy that answered the door was French! I then carried on running up the road that goes to the Col du Granon as there’s some good ski touring up that way and I was curious as to where the road was closed / park your car etc .

Luckily it was not too far, and had a chat with a ski tourer about to leave, so that’s another option, though South facing slopes so hard / crusty for the ascent in the morning then hopefully spring snow three hours later post thaw for the descent.

Came back through the village again and asked a couple of “old locals” did they know where a couple of Swedes live, they gave me directions as one of them lived next door but could I find the place, anyway by then they would be out.

So back via the agency, and no surprise in that she’d completely forgotten about arranging the plumber!

Back home (run was 6 ½ mls) quick breakfast and then out. Decided to use my Mount Bakers and Garmont Axons as I want to be able to ski on them as well as I’ve been doing on the Missions, as I don’t really believe in such a thing as “bad skis”, it’s just the end user who has to get use to them!

Drove up to Monetier taking Pooch as did not want a plumber being attacked by a Jack Russell, anyway nice & warm she’d like being in the “blue kennel”!

Did a warm up run down the piste plus wanted to film the Mrs to help on the technique front, as I can never explain what someone is doing wrong, same as in windsurfing, better to see it for themselves then take it from there.

Next lift and going higher soon became obvious that there was far more “fresh” around that I’d thought there would be, people were laying down tracks all over the place, it was in danger of getting skied out before I’d get my runs in!

Decided that the best option would be Montagnolle again, as most people were just skiing what they could see from the lifts with some traverses etc, and I’d also not seen anyone disappearing under the nets down there.

And sure enough was greeted with some great conditions. Had been fairly well tracked but just by staying high and traversing over a ridge was blessed with some nice lines. Did a bit of filming of the Mrs who handled the conditions really well, she just has to believe in “speed is your friend” and get more of rhythm of going to not only ski it well but to avoid the leg burn…….

Just before the long run out she was really tired and encouraged me to go and do it again, which I duly agreed was a good idea. Ended up doing it non stop second time and after this morning’s run legs were burning too!

Came back home for a late lunch to find plumber had still not been, know the feeling? So back down the agency to check what the feck was going on, to be told that he’d only just left the agency after picking the keys up. So went back home, and just like the UK ended up waiting another hour for him to eventually show.

And the worst thing was that we’d had the switch in the wrong position on the fuse board, think must go down as another Cock moment!

NB: Knee certainly going to be manky in another day or so, pictures to follow!

FROM ELAINE
 
Sitting at The Frog waiting for the water to heat up back at apartment so FINALLY can
have a hot bath.

Had to wait for plumber this afternoon and then he finally came and announced that we
just had a switch in the wrong position. THREE DAYS WITHOUT HOT WATER COS OF A SWITCH. Sacre
bleu!

Anyway did a good morning's skiing before deciding I could not do any more exercise without
a shower! Did some filmng for training purposes before doing the Itinerary again. Just over the really steep bit at the top when Baylis (below me) shouted "Stop. Don't Move". I froze expecting an avalanche around my ears but then saw him taking out the camera! Seemed pretty steep (steeper than it looked on camera!)
and much more powder than on Saturday and, ok ok, I will get better BUT this is the longest
(the itinerary goes from the very top lift back to Monetier), deepest off piste I have
EVER done. On skis! A lot easier, perhaps, on the snowboard but, OH BOY, not on the run
out....I would DIE. Think La Grave down to P1..

Baylis was all up for doing it again but my thighs, my thighs! So let him hack on while I
made my way back to the van where Pooch was snoozing....

THE DOG'S BLOG

Spent my morning in the blue kennel on wheels. Apparently, a Frenchie plumber was due to come
to the apartment and They had a very real fear that I would 'ave eez ankles. Let alone have
to pay the extra for having a dog in the apartment! So had a snoozy time in the blue kennel.
When Le Plumber arrived after They had stamped and sworn for a while, I was shut in the
bedroom and managed to hold my tongue (really not easy if you are dog). So hot baths later,
eh? Pity, as, this morning, I could literally smell them coming down the mountain, a mile away...

Sunday 7th March

Easy day…….

Forecast yesterday was for overcast conditions and a dusting of light snow and that’s exactly what greeted us this morning.

As ever I could not  manage to imitate Deed’s amazing skillsets at being able to sleep in so decided a quick run was in order and then to pick up the bread on the way back.

Did wrap up as it was really cold with a stiff breeze blowing. Ran up to the old village of La Salle and then back down and across to another village, Le Bez which is the one we overlook. Legs were pretty tired and it certainly felt longer than four and a bit miles. Picked up a nice Paysanne bread, so much better than an ordinary baguette in that it does not go stale after a few hours and you can use it for tea!

After breakfast was fiddling with my boot liners as I have a sore ankle developing, so decided to put them in the oven to mould them again; as maybe with all the running / weight loss of late, my foot shape has changed?

“Cock Alert”  
Oven was warmed up before I put them in and I knew from past experience does not take that long, so was checking to see all was ok. Must have been all of three minutes later when I checked again to see one of them smoking and a slight flame! Opened the oven door and panicked, not too sure how it happened, but in the moment I dropped one with molten plastic and rubber melting on to my knee, as obviously at the time I was only wearing my £20 cacks*  along with my ski socks.

So one totally fecked liner, and one badly burnt knee, what a Cock! Fortunately I have another liner I can use; ironic thing was that the other liner was fine; I blame the damn stupid French oven for unequal heat distribution!!

So after clearing all the molten plastic off the kitchen floor and peeling it off my knee along with the skin & blisters we went skiing!!

Click on image for larger one.

It was cold and windy at the top, really layered up, not a lot of fun sitting on the chair lifts but did find some decent cold snow must have been all of a couple of cms of fresh. Light was very flat, not helped by me giving Elaine (I didn’t realise it was snowing so I’ve only got sunglasses that keep misting up) my goggles whilst I made the most of her glasses. All good for practising technique etc and those skis just get better and better. Though that said, as it was Sunday there were many Italians here and they just love their carving slalom / race skis, really cranking it……must say I’m almost tempted but that would be over the top!

By the time we called it a day, so were most others, even mad keen Swedish FreeRider types who like many are only here for their week.

That’s the good thing about being out here for as long as we are, don’t have to cane it all day and can be mad enough to go running before skiing!

Might have to get the boards out tomorrow if this light snow keeps up, though forecast is for more of the same.

* £20 was for a pair of Baw Bags www.bawbags.com with the money going towards the cousin (Florent Astier)  of a guy who runs the Frog Bar where we go for WiFi who was paralysed earlier this year in an accident whilst training as part of the French team for the Olympics.

FROM ELAINE

Really getting Baylis trained - got him out of bed and off for a run and to fetch the bread. Pity he didn't get the Sunday papers. 

A very cloudy grey looking day so no need to rush out - and I'm giving running a break while doing cross training on the slopes! Didn't realise, though, that it was actually snowing at the top and VERY cold. So took Baylis's goggles and gave him my goggle/sunnies which were mega misting up. Teehee.

We then did off piste from the top chair - gt snow if you could only see it! Out for 2-3 hrs before calling it a day. The chairlifts were soooo cold.

Now in The Frog and back for dinner which Baylis has put in the oven. Hope it's not gonna be roasted inner skiboot!!

THE DOG'S BLOG

Had a quick walk this morning, then stayed in apartment  (which smelt like our house after the Great Fire of Goring after he made a Man's Dinner of heating his inner boot) until They came back and took me for proper walk to the Frog to clear my nose. Not much to blog about today really. What can I say: It's A Man's Life....

Saturday 6th March

Great day!

Woke early leaving Mrs WC wrapped up under the duvet with Pooch as she said, the previous evening, that she wanted a more relaxed morning. Spent a wee while getting all the touring kit together  and left the house at 08:05 telling Elaine I’d be back at 11:00.

Last year I sussed a good descent down from Cucumelle dropping me in above the summer village of Frejus so that was my target to see how far I could climb in a couple of hours. As I came into the car park a couple of other ski tourers were just leaving, so great I had a chase to do J

First 45 min was up the groomed corduroy piste past Club Med, which later on was quite steep at times, having to put the heel plate maximum lift to get a better angle of attack whilst climbing.  Obviously at that time of the morning the lifts were still closed and it was once I was at Frejus that a few people started to appear, but by then I was climbing well away from the piste up through the tress. Caught up with the two guys who turned out to be Italian. We had a brief chat in Anglo / French / Italian with me taking their photo on their cameras for them. Going was quite hard at times breaking through crust with the skis sliding out. After about 90 mins I set myself a target of 1,000 vertical in two hours, I ended up doing 2:10.  Main reason being as I was no longer on the piste I had to concentrate on my route and could not climb up anything too steep once out of the trees for safety reasons.

So good climb, probably equated to 13 miles over the Downs, 2hrs 10min with average HR of 140 and that time & HR included a couple of drink / clothing stops.

Temps were low & with a strong wind blowing there was a severe wind chill. Taking the skins off and going into downhill hands suddenly became very cold.

Descent was fairly average, though I was thinking all the time how good my Scott Missions were compared to the Mount Bakers, in hindsight maybe I should have put touring bindings on them!

Once back home had to change out of very sweaty gear, then fuel up and back out with the Mrs.

She was skiing really well, getting her to work on her edges. We headed over to Monetier which was as usual totally empty it seemed. There are a couple of very nice pistes to work on your carving and you feel extremely flash skiing them well, all great ego massaging!

Decided that as she was skiing well and that there were some decent wind blown powder stashes to be found on the right slope aspect that I’d take over Montagnolle. This is a off piste route that I thought would be quite safe as many people would have already skied it. And  sure enough we found great snow, the Mrs thoroughly enjoyed it and skied it well. Snow pack was between decent cold snow to breaking crust and hard snow but if you kept your eye open and looked for the right aspect you could ski reasonable cold snow /  powder as opposed to hard crust.

Runout at the bottom was not too bad, and so much better being on skis than on a board which I’ve done quite a few times before, and it’s not that pleasant!

FROM ELAINE

Parfait day! Let Baylis do his hike this morning so Pooch and I could lie in - UNDISTURBED.
Hit the slopes at 12.30 and headed for Monetier. Down at bottom, actually STUPIDLY said to Baylis
that my thighs weren't hurting! So then went to the top via Col du Vent which, duh, was very
windy. Baylis said he would take me down this off piste itinery route but, not to worry, it would be
"like a piste" cos so many people would have done it.

So he skidded down a bit of black then ducked under the rope. Now I DID try to follow him but the wind was so strong that I couldnt move. Eventually managed to reach him - and he pointed down ths steep powder and said: "Go on you go first". Now I was wearing a brown Patagonia jacket and white skipants - and was in danger of having a matching outfit! But, know what, it was AMAZING! And totally empty - so much for all those people doing it. I WOULD like to do it on the snowboard but OMG the run out down at the bottom would make me cry. Even on skiis it's pretty hairy AND MY THIGHS WERE ON FIRE so served me right for boasting that they weren't hurting!!!

And, you know how there is nothing like a hot bath after skiing? Well, we had nothing like
a hot bath when we got back as the apartment's water heating is playing up. Thank goodness for
baby wipes - but wallying in a bath full of them is not quite the same! Don't worry Chris/Kathy plumber coming on Monday...

According to the forecasts, no sign of spring yet and fairly cold. Good news for the snow, which is superb!

THE DOG'S BLOG

Just came back to The Frog (which is how my bark sounds when I have a go at the rugby/band
generally on here). Walked in and OMD (Oh My Dog) there was Kiki. Did one of those Marmaduke
double takes and realised it wasn't by nemesis only an 8mth Jack that looked exactly like
her. Now trying to hide under SWCM (She Who Cottonwools Me) duvet jacket.

Friday 5th March

FROM ELAINE

So we're back - and almost feels like home (but without the bills/cleaning/hassle. Unpacked the van at about 12.30 - so that was my daily Brighton Marathon exercise going up and down, up and down all those steps to the apartment. Then out skiing this afternoon. Perfect conditions - sunny, great snow AND NO PEOPLE. Oh just a bit of wind (and not Baylis).

Had usual trepidation getting on skis for the first time and, guess what, went to put on first ski and slipped, falling on my butt. After that all ok!! decided against doing black run under the chair lift as it IS the first day. Then Gavin took an off piste route and I decided to go down an unpisted black ON MY OWN. And survived!

But I AM injured!! Have dreadful chest pain - which is because we dropped the apartment keys down behind the washing maching.Couldn#t quite reach them so Gav gave me a leg up and over thus dangling me down the back and crushing my ribcage on the rim of the washer....

THE DOG'S BLOG

Well. I'll be man gone. Here we are again. Woop! Tried to run up under the steps to our home but tooooo much white stuff in the way so had to risk the cheese grater on my paws. Can't believe that here I am without a puppy JR hanging on my neck like a canine medalion. In the old MoJo bar again where they asked me to say "sausages" but after last night at Graham's I am only going to say "froi gras" - and I can actually get my lips around that one. Frrrrgrrrrr.

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