ski mountaineering 2:00:00 [3]
I had my reservations about this excursion to Les Confins in the Aravis mountain range since I went from understanding it was an instructional day for newbies, to a race, to a "we have just put flags up for a route but are not going to give any instruction, check your kit, or see if you know how to use your avalanche kit." In fairness we were doing a very safe route (because I know how?) and my photos will be nothing like Revy's or Carbons just yet. Marion had asked me to join her on this "in memory of Stephane Brosse" outing so of course I said yes.
In the end it was a great day, bluebird skies, lots of friendly people, and at least I was with someone who knew what she was doing. We made our way up in an hour and a half where we did a quick change, took in the scenery and watched some of the skiers from the other two, more challenging, courses. These guys were flying with their harnesses and speedy suits on. The snow as we first started to descend was nice and soft and things got icy from the previous days of rain. Shawn T's Insanity is still not enough to prepare the quads for skiing, especially on the ice. We were back down in no time and then had some vin chaud and food before we went back to Thones for a very nice post "race" meal where I picked up about every 10th word of the conversation that Marion had with the guys we were sitting with. Awesome day to be out finally and I did feel a little bad leaving behind two very sick family members to take care of one another.