Haute Route (Chamonix-Zermatt) beginning of Marrch '05, anybody?

I am considering making a trip to France to ski the Haute Route next year. My time window would be beginning of March, as I am starting a pretty intensive moutaineering regimen mid-March. Advantages of March are less people and cheaper airfaire from the States; disadvantage may include a slightly higher level of avalanche danger.

Is anybody seriously interested, as well as competent to do it (demonstrable glacier travel and rescue skills, as well as recent beacon practice mandatory; I am not interested to have you otherwise)? Preferrably people I could ski with a bit near Seattle first this winter before committing to a week together, but good people are always welcome.

Here's a Web page showing pics of a variation of the Haute Route.

I plan do do it in a week or less.

drC

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Originally Posted by Dr. Crash

disadvantage may include a slightly higher level of avalanche danger.
drC

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..and - depending on snow coverage - significantly higher danger of crevasses, especially on the first, third and fourth leg when starting from Cham.

Just a hint: If your're focussed on beating the crowds consider the Haute Route Valdotaine which runs south of the standard route on the Italian side. Less glaciated (except for the Monte Rosa section) but more interesting runs on an average. Plus you can easily switch from Cervinia back north onto the standard route.

wait before booking..... march can really be toooooo early if the winter is dry. And, so far, it has been dry.

Let me know if I am wrong, but I thought in March most of the huts along the route will not have guardians. You can still sleep in them, but will have to bring food and stove.

I'd looked to do the HR in early March of '99. For many of the reasons listed above it looked the trip would be more adventurous early season than late. I ended up cancelling because of the truly horrendous avy hazard that year. Long distance ski touring is a spring sport.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dr. Crash

Is anybody seriously interested, as well as competent to do it (demonstrable glacier travel and rescue skills, as well as recent beacon practice mandatory; I am not interested to have you otherwise)? Preferrably people I could ski with a bit near Seattle first this winter before committing to a week together, but good people are always welcome.

drC

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excellent idea. you are a very wise man.

try the search function. someone posted the same thing about a month or two ago.

Thanks for the local timing info. Hmmm. Better snow coverage would be good. Crap. Might have to squeeze in between two summits, or suck it up and wait a year <crying>.

drC

I read your reports with your links. Very, very well done. Should scare off any wannna-be's! :wink:

A site I use for the most intelligent discussion and most accurate info re: CH ski a randonne is here:
http://www.skirando.ch/

Perhaps you already know of it. If not, you should sign-up to test your route theories, monitor this winter's progress, and find out on the actual on-the-ground conditions.

That early, I would second what someone said earlier about taking a more southern route into Italy. An alternate to your last route: one can leave the cabane du Trient and head up Val Ferret towards Plan de la Chaux and les Lacs de Fenetre to reach the refuge du Grd St B w/o hitting any glaciers.

hey crash.. if the weather comes through im definitely interested in the same time window. ill let you know when im out in the seattle area if you want to make some turns.