Col d'Arraille

Col d'Arraille
Originally uploaded by M.J.S.

After about 2 hours of climbing, turn around. But it's worth it - fantastic views of the valley and the mountain as the sun rises. Snow is fairly fluffy, but drifts up to 2 foot deep, and more and more ice underfoot. See the route up to the col easily enough, but the path peters out - or at least becomes uncertain, and this means slow travelling across boulders covered by snow. Shoes not really stiff enough for this, and take about twice as long as I should. From the map, the route over the other side is hard, through scree or boulders, and is supposed to take 3 hours. Suspect this could take about 4 or five hours, so decide to walk out down the Vallee de Gaube, the way I'd came.

Right decision. Weather and view had completely changed. Took the tourist path on the west of the valley for different views and a free telesiege ride down to the Pont. Again, a wonderful walk.