Page 18 - 1995 Mountaineering Club Bulletin

rubbish carted around the hills for the past 4 days, the mini­ buses were loaded and the team set off for the main town of Lanslebourg.
In Lanslebourg. the dentist diagnosed Ian's problem as a wisdom tooth breaking through, and after a pleasant couple of hours shopping, writing postcards, and drinking coffee in a local cafe, we set off again. During the Summer, it is possible to drive most of the way to the Plan du Lac, but the road from Termignon, through the Bois du Suffet is not kept open during the Winter months. Access beyond the houses at Les Fontaignous is there­ fore a function of chance and weather. As luck would have it we were able to get up as far as Le Suffet (1862m) before an aban­ doned snowplough blocked our way. We bid farewell to the val­ ley party, put on our skis again, and set off along the snow-cov­ ered road towards the refuge.
It was an extremely pleasant climb through the Bois du Suffet, along the Plan du Lac, and we eventually arrived at the Refuge du Plan du Lac (2364m) at about 1600. The refuge is one of 5 Refuge Portes du Parc, a gateway into the Vanoise National Park, and as such is quite luxurious with hot and cold running water and even sit-down flushing toilets! The gardienne, Mme Anne- Marie PALLISER, had only just arrived by helicopter for the Easter period, and was still in the process of sorting out her refuge. Nevertheless, her welcome was as warm as ever, and she celebrated the arrival of her first customers of the season by insisting we drink two bottles of sparkling wine with our very substantial evening meal. Distance covered 7km.
Saturday 8 April
Pointe de Lanserlia (2909m) and the lour across to the Refuge de la Femma.
We were moving well by now, so rather than take the valley route to the Refuge de le Femma we decided to traverse the Pointe de Lanserlia and the Plateau du Turc. The team left at 0700 and had a steep climb up some difficult snow to the summit, arriving at around 1000. After a quick bite to eat we contoured under the Pointe du Grand Vallon and over the Plateau du Turc before swinging North, and down into the Vallon de la Rocheure.
A completely new building had been erected adjacent to the refuge expeditions had used before, but the gardienne was the same, and Mme Claire JACQUEMOT was there to meet us as we arrived at 1300. Claire and Anne- Marie are sisters, and again we were her first guests of the season. Someone casually mentioned the wine we had received at the Plan du Lac, and our excellent evening meal was accompanied by aperitifs and 2 bottles of kia. Distance covered 11km.
Sunday 9 April
The climb o f the Pointe de la Sana (3436m).
Keven BLAKE had pulled a muscle in his leg the day before, and the Deputy Leader was suffering from a stomach upset. The team was therefore reduced to 8 as we left the refuge at 0615 to climb steeply along the Ruisseau des Cotes. The slope eased
Top o f Ouiile cfAberon (3554m) Thursday 6 April
accross Les Coins des Stars, but then steepened again for the final pull up to the summit. It was overcast and increasingly windy as we gained height, so the last section was taken on foot for fear of being blown over.
We reached the summit at 1130, and enjoyed spectacular views across to the Grande Motte (3653m), the Grand Casse (3855m) and down into the ski resort of Tignes. The flag was raised again in the strong wind, and photographs taken, before returning to our skis.
The initial descent was difficult over steep icy snow, wind-blown into crusty ridges, but as we descended it became softer. Before long it was perfect for skiing, and we swept back to the refuge on the finest of spring snow, arriving at 1230. Distance covered 8km.
Monday 10 April
The ascent ofPointe de Mean Martin (3330m) and the tour across to the Refuge du Fond des Fours.
Kevin and Dick had recovered after their rest day, so the whole team set off at 0615 to begin the skin up beside the Ruisseau des Roches Blanches and onto the Glacier des Roches Blanches. After making the ridge line to the West of the summit, skis were removed and the last 50m section of mixed snow and rock was completed in crampons.
The weather was overcast on the summit, and slightly windy, but once again the flag was raised and photos taken to record the event. After dropping back down to our skis we enjoyed an absolutely superb ski through the spindrift on the North facing slopes to the Refuge du Fond des Fours (2537m) arriving at 1030, just before the weather closed in and it started snowing. The refuge is located on the edge of the ski resort of Val d’Isere, so there was the opportunity for a small group to drop down into Val d’Isere and enjoy an afternoons down-hill skiing before return­ ing via the ski-lift system. Distance covered 10km.
Tuesday 11 April
ANNUAL BULLETIN
THE ROYAL NAVY & ROYAL MARINES MQUNTAINEERING CLUB
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