26th May 2024
How much snow remained in the Cols of the Tour Mont Blanc in late Spring 2024 and early summer of 2024?
Col de Bon Homme
Col de Seigne
Col de Grand Ferret
Each year is different of course. Here is what I saw in Spring 2024...I...being Claire...from Mont Blanc Trips
3 write ups from 3 trips:
a) 1st - 5th June 2024 Col Bon Homme (France) Col de Seigne (France/Italy) & Col Grand Ferret (Italy/Switzerland)
b) 26th May 2024 Col Bon Homme & Lac Jovets
c) 9 - 10th May 20224 Col Grand Ferret & La Fouly
CONCLUSION:
Lac Jovets was still entirely covered by snow and Col de Bon Homme was a significant and severe avalanche hazard which one would attempt only in a cold spell or at night.
26th May 2024 – Day Trip to Lac Jovets, France
I was wondering how much snow remained on the Tour Mont Blanc at Col de Bon Homme and at Lac Jovets in France.
I did a day trip to visit Lac Jovets and scampered up the surrounding hills on the remaining snow to take a look around.
There were still several meters of snow around Lac Jovets too with the approach path for summer still resembling a winter picture post card rather than a summer trekking route. Lac Jovets were still completely covered by snow, there was just a clue of the water beneath at the point where the water headed down a stream as there was a break line where the water was warming the snow.
The Col de Bon Homme was still under several meters of snow.
It was a beautiful day. I decided to play on the land free of snow. I set about finding contour lines on my map, and finding ring contours, and map features. It was highly enjoyable. I then decided to go a little higher until I reached the natural gradient limit of the trail shoes I was wearing and the 2 walking poles in my hands on a snowy mountain side. It was a beautiful day bonding with contour lines again. A love of contours rediscovered.
Photo is just above the bridge and the hydroelectric damn wall next to Lac Jovets before turning up towards the Col de Bon Homme.
Check out the EDF app Mar Riviere et Moi if you want the current water activity information for rising river flows and changing water levels when they are generating electricity. Be warned there is little signage or signalling that a wall of water is about to arrive when they decide to empty a reservoir and let the water flow down so stay away from river beds.
I descended to Notre Dame Car Park (by the large public loo cabin) and returned home knowing an attempt to Col de Bon Homme would need to be at night or a cold morning to use the remaining snow.
Notre Dame Church
31st May 2024 – Planning to take another look at Col de Bon Homme and possibly go to Chapieux
It was raining and stormy at home. The wind was blowing hard. I checked the weather and there was a weather gap coming. I fancied popping up to Col de Bon Homme and going to Chapieux. The storm will have delivered some fresh snow. So, I packed my rucksack with the intention of taking a closer look at Col Bon homme. It was a simple objective…take a look…with a potential to turn into an adventure. I had half an idea of traversing and descending to Chapieux for the night so I spent the day in the library looking at the maps to evaluate possible options to reach Chapieux. If the snow-covered paths were too risky given the avalanche risks and possible collapsing snow bridges on the way down, I needed a few alternatives. I found them. There were a few very appealing options resembling winter lines and less wise winter lines on the map so I was encouraged by the choice of (possible or not possible) options and I made a plan. I was considering stopping for a bivvi enroute. I knew there was also a rest option in the winter room at the Refuge Croix Bon Homme too if I could get that far. Nothing was in the bag given the avalanche risk whilst I was still in the library or and at home in planning mode. It was an idea bubble. That’s all it was. A handful of tops, socks, underwear and all my winter equipment made their way into a rucksack. The rucksack was heavy. I was packed. The foot wear was alpine. Rigid. Crampons were pre-fitted. I had 2 poles and 2 axes. Snow shoes were selected. Sun glasses, a spare sun glasses, and a ski mask. Bivvi gear. Spring is a mixed bag after all!! No guaranty of anything other than uncertainty, avalanche risk and UV damage.
Since I had already visited Lac Jovets last week to check it, I knew the lakes were still completely surrounded and covered with snow, I knew it would be a snowy affair, and given the most recent storm in the last few days had probably delivered some fresh snow in Col de Bon Homme so nothing was going to be certain until I was there. The new snow was not unwelcomed as it permitted a possible snow traverse to reach the Refuge Bon Homme if attempted in the night or early morning. That was the theory anyway.
Given the comfort of my pillows I did not manage a night approach on 31st May but ventured up mid-morning on 1st June 2024.
A few days later I found myself eating an ice cream in Courmayeur, then having an iced café in Switzerland. Read on for the in between bits and information…the onward journey after Courmayeur to Col Grand Ferret into Switzerland. I returned to the car a few days later, having enjoyed some train travel on the TMR services in Switzerland and the Mont Blanc Express.
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