Hold-up at Valsorey

Goal of the day: the north face of the Combin de Valsorey.

After the approach to the Col des Maisons Blanches, we set up a bivouac to be as close as possible to the line. Tent pitched, sleeping bags unrolled — the calm of altitude surrounds us, the cold too. We manage a few hours of baby-like sleep.

The alarm rings, and we get moving almost mechanically. At the summit, too much ice to ski as planned. We turn back just below the top, where the snow is surprisingly good for September. The north face is both magnificent and demanding.

Powder snow in September, a high-mountain bivouac, and a paraglider take-off to finish the descent — a full-on hold-up.

See you soon for more adventure!

Julien Bédat