Our first guided group finished yesterday, our second today our third group is currently in Courmayeur.
Here is what the guides say about the current conditions...
Chamonix to Les Houches: Same advise as before, do not go via the Col du Brevent. Either take the cable car to the top of the Brevent (2525m) & start hiking from there or take a lower path though the trees on the Petit Balcon Sud via Parc Merlet. You can access this trail from the car park behind the bottom of the Planpraz/ Brevent lift station.
Les Houches to Les Contamines: All routes are ok
Les Contamines to Chapieux: Still lots of snow, microspikes & trekking poles are still essential. Care needs to be taken on the traverse between the two cols and also on the descent to Chapieux. Stay on the main trail. Do not take short cuts down the gullies, when descending to Chapieux, there was somebody who slipped & fell to their death this week doing this. Take care on the snow bridges & river crossings. Snow bridges are still firm but are getting weeker as the snow melts. Do not go via the Col des Fours this route is still very dangerous, if staying at the Refuge Mottets go via Chapieux.
Chapieux & Refuge Mottets to Courmayeur: Still lots of snow, care needs to be taken when crossing the gullies & snow bridges. Desent from the col can still be done direct rather than to the right via Casameta. Do not go via the Monte Fauvre spur (high route from Lac Combal), take the bus to Courmayeur from La Visialle. This bus stop is now operative.
Courmayeur to Bonatti & Val Ferret: Balcony route as normal. Do not take the high route via the Tete de la Tronche, this route is still very dangerous.
Bonatti & Val Ferret to La Fouly: Still lots of snow & microspikes & poles are essential. Care needs to be taken when traversing the gullies, the final approach to the Grand Col Ferret & on the descent.
La Fouly to Champex: Although snow free the trail has been washed out in parts by recent flooding. Care needs to be taken on these sections.
Champex to Trient: Go via the Bovine route, do not go via the Fenetre d'Arpette, this route is still too dangerous.
Treint to Argentiere: Go direct via the Col du Balme.
Argentiere to Chamonix: Take the high balcony path directly across to Planpraz. Avoid Lac Blanc as there is still too much snow.
Recap on advise
Microspikes & poles are still essential.
Care needs to be taken when crossing snow, on snow bridges and river crossings.
Stay on the main trail, do not take shortcuts down gullies unless you are certain what is below you. Gullies often lead down to very steep ground, cliffs, waterfalls etc
Do not go via the Col du Brevent, Col des Fours, Monte Fauvre Spur, Tête de la Tronche & Fenetre d'Arpette.
Robert sets off with his group from Courmayeur tomorrow so we will update on the Grand Col Ferret once he is in La Fouly.
Our next TMB guided group depart Chamonix on Tuesday, we will update conditions once they get to Courmayeur.
