16.12.2024
Not a huge amount to say about this one. We arrived in les Contamines at around 10am with the idea of doing Tête de la Combaz. I had endured the obligatory end of year parties on the Thursday and Friday before the weekend, but it was safe to say that I was not on the best of form. I was tired and not massively motivated for the outing.
We arrived in Contamines at 09h30 and had a tight deadline to be back at the car by 13h45 at the latest. It was cold in the valley, probably around -1 °C or -2°C but we knew it wouldn’t last. The snow line was higher than expected and we had to walk almost 350m+ before we put the skis on.
Putting the skis on finally at 1550m
From the minute the skis went on it was hot. My motivation wasn’t high but we endeavoured on, still holding on to a glimpse of hope that the top might be attainable. Alas, 12h15 came- the turnaround time- and we still had 300m+ to do.
So it was skins off and we began descending. The snow was indeed poor. A mixture of the hot temperatures and the rain from the previous week had rendered it horrible but at least there was something. This time last year it was almost 20°C and the hills were brown.
We reached the Auberge de la Combaz and took the skis off. All that was left was a pleasant wander back to the car and a quick coffee in the town before a house viewing.
