Page 17 - 1995 Mountaineering Club Bulletin

recognised as “une des plus classiques des Alps, est aussi une des plus belles”. We were fortunate indeed to be able to complete it under such outstanding conditions.
That evening the Leader and Deputy spoke by telephone, and agreed to meet up again at the Refuge d’Averole. Although the second party had arrived in the valley, Grant LEWINS had fall­ en badly and wrenched a knee.
W ednesday 5 April
Traverse o f the Selle de TAlbaron to the Refuge d ’Averole.
An 0600 departure meant that it was still dark as we skied the short downhill section from the Refuge down to the Plan des Evettes. The snow had a very icy crust, and the skiing was fur­ ther complicated by the fact that we were blind apart from the small amount of light available from our head torches. An enter­ taining start to the day!
Once on the Plan des Evettes we donned skins and harscheisen and made our way up-hill to a steep, ominous ice fall at the base of the Glacier des Evettes. Once through the ice fall, the ground eased before a steep pull up to the Selle de l’Albaron (3474m). Although most of the ascent could be skied, one section was too steep and icy; this had to be cramponed with skis trapped to our rucksacks. We arrived at the col at 1015 and, stopping for a well earned rest and food, we enjoyed spectacular views down to numerous other ski mountaineers following our tracks up the Glacier des Evettes.
The slope down from the Selle was steep and rather icy; also an obvious rock band obscured the run out. It was decided, there­ fore, to crampon down the first 200m. Once clear of the rocks, and on softer snow, we climbed back onto skis and enjoyed a great ski on Spring snow down the Glacier du Colerin. We arrived at the Refuge d’Averole (1990m) at lunchtime and were
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reunited with the rest of the party who had made their way up the valley from their overnight stay at the Gite d’Etape. Distance covered 10km.
Thursday 6 April
The ascent of Outlie d’Aberon (3554m), and thefirst Alpine ascentfor three members o f the team.
Grant LEWINS and Tracey ELLIOT were clearly not able to continue; Grant because of his knee, and Tracy because of the tendinitis caused by her boots. There was no alternative but for them to return slowly down the well marked cross country ski route to the valley. Meanwhile, the remainder of the group set off at 0615 and had a straightforward climb up alongside the Ruisseau d’Arnes and onto the Glacier d’Arnes. Visibility was not good, the weather was closing in, and we appeared to be in a race against time.
To our great delight the weather cleared completely as we arrived on the summit ridge, and we climbed the last 200m of mixed snow and rock in crampons below glorious sunshine. The Ouille d’Aberon (3554m) was to be the highest point reached on the expedition, as tradition required the White Ensign was flown, and Navy News printed the summit photograph in the June
Once reunited with our skis it was time for a most enjoyable lunch before skiing back to the Refuge d’Averole. The ski down was great fun for the first 1000m, but below 2500m the snow became increasing wet and heavy. Back at the refuge, however, there was time for a short break and copious amounts of Oringina before descending the road that follows the course of the Torrent d’Averole; through the small settlements of Averole, Vincendieres and La Goulaz, and finally arriving back at La Batisse at about 1700. Distance covered 17km.
The first leg of our ski mountaineering expedition was now complete, but not without some problems. Grant and Tracy would be unable to continue into the second phase and, sadly, neither would Sean YATES. Sean had been suffering in silence (well, not complete silence!) from a troublesome knee since arriving at the Refuge des Evettes. This had got progressively worse, and much to his irritation, he had had to turn back during the climb up Ouille d ’Aberon. Ian B R E E Z E had been suffer­ ing from toothache since arriving at the Refuge des Evettes, and an appointment was made for him with the dentist in Lanslebourg for the next day. Finally, Keven B E 3 K E had twisted a knee in the heavy snow whilst skimg down from the Refuge d ’Averole, and was keeping his fingers crossed that all would be well. Ski mountaineering has its martyrs!
Friday 7 April
Return to the hills, and a ski into the Refuge du Plan du Lac.
After a very restful night in the comparatively palatial comfort of the Gite d’Etape there was the chance of a long a\vaited lie-in; breakfast was not until 0800!
Once kit was sorted out; remembering to take that one essential item forgotten last time, and getting rid of all the non-essential
Top of Pointe de Mean Martin (3330m)Mon 10 April
ANNUAL BULLETIN
THE ROYAL NAVY & ROYAL MARINES MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
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