SNOW CONDITIONS CHAMONIX - 5 JANUARY 2024
GENERAL OVERVIEW
We experienced a meteorological smorgasbord over the recent holidays; with snow, rain, wind, sun and our not friendly foehn effect.
Below 1800m, the snow cover remains a little thin. At 2000m and above, its good.
Pay attention to the risk that snow conditions can create, especially with the wind blowing in almost all directions. In 2024 more than ever, BERA is your friend!
VALLEY BLANCHE
The ridge from the summit of the Aiguilles du Midi is not yet equipped. To descend the ridge, you need to be competent with crampons. The snow cover is good with crevasses plugged. At the end of the Mer de Glace, it is necessary to climb the stair and walkways to the Montenvers station, as the new lift is not yet operational.
SKI TOURING
Most of the classic ski touring routes have good snow cover with a couple of exceptions. Low in the Berard valley, it's thin and on the Tour side of the Col du Passon, it really needs the snow that is forecast this coming weekend, 6 & 7 January 2024.
In the Argentière basin, there are lots of people on the popular col routes of Passon, Chardonnet and Tour Noir, with most people doing an out and return and not crossing over the cols.
The Aiguille d'Argentière was skied via the Glacier du Milieu. The crevasses on the glacier are fairly well filled. There is a mixed pitch to get up the narrows and 15m of abseiling on the descent. Or take the Y couloir with a 10m step to cross the rimaye and a 40m abseil on descent. I the couloir it's spring conditions.n
ALPINISM
For snow, ice and mixed enthusiasts, it seems that the season is about to start with the cold snap expected later this week.
Mont Blanc
The Chéré couloir on the Tacul Triangle was climbed in very dry conditions.
Argentiere Basin
Climbers in the Petit Viking get into a bottle-neck at the rimaye which can be crossed, best on the right side, with 40m of M5. After that conditions are OK. then conditions ok) or in the Charlet-Ghilini.
Chamonix Aiguilles
Mini Blast, Rébuffat-Terray and M6 Solar were visited but we have no update on the conditions.
ICE CLIMBING
Only the Déferlante sector on the left bank of Argentière offers decent conditions. So it's busy.
SNOW SHOEING & WINTER HIKING
For snowshoers and other winter hikers, the marked routes in the valley are all open!
Reporting from La Chamoniarde.
