Col Reidmatten (2019m)
It's not unusual to get snow falling in the Alps down to lower altitudes, even in July and August. So September is no exception. I guess for some first time trekkers to the Alpine environment its can come as a bit of a shock to be walking in warm sun one day and cold, snowy weather the next. That is exactly what we got today. There has been a cool, Northerly airflow all week and today we had percipitation in the form of snow forecast at 2200m. We set out early before the worse of the conditions set in. Leaving the Prafleuri Refuge at 0745 we left many groups behind who had decided not to tackle todays steep Col and instead they walked to the Barrage at Lac Dix to get a bus round to Arolla. That left just my group and one other group on the mountain! We had mostly dry conditions, just a few light snow showers above 2500m. We we're at the Col Reidmatten for 11.15am, the earliest I have been here. The winds were not a problem and no way near what was forecast. An easy descent into Arolla and only the last hour did we get wet. We arrived in town at 1.30Pm, good going. It's always a good idea to hire a guide ( me!) and a company like Mont Blanc Treks who know the routes well. They are vastly experienced guiding the Haute Route and TMB many times per season. It was worrying watching some groups this morning who didn't have basic kit such as waterproof trousers. All afternoon it has been snowing in Arolla at 2000m. Will be interesting to see the hills in the morning. |
No comments:
Post a Comment