Northwards - at Last

Behind the Col de Galibiere - 8,000'

The Ecrins

Climbing at La Travereses

So after months (12th March to 28 June) we finally set of from Chez Arran to slowly make our way back towards the UK. Initially we have based ourselves in the Briançon area, the altitude takes the edge off the summer heat and the high passes means there is always the option of getting up into the cooler air.

We normally visit in May or October when the whole area is pretty much shut - the number of people has been a shocker, especially considering lockdown has only been lifted a short time - it looks like France is pretty much open for business again.

The climbing around here is great, so varied and generally very quite, there is limestone, granite, quartzite and conglomerate, all mixed up in a geological mishmash of an impressive scale. And of course the fabulous Ailefroide is a little over half an hours drive away.

Next we have 10 days booked into the Maurienne, another place that is normally really quiet, it will be interesting to see the state of the place. Then some time after that we need to think about getting back to the UK.