Combin de Grafeneire : Couloir du Gardien

Good conditions in the couloir after the recent snowfall. Good settled and stable snow, easy to kick steps in. The final meters to the exit are a bit icy. We placed some screw. To be climbed on running belay or maybe two 50m pitches. Exit throught he seracs is not so difficult, one step a bit exposed.

We traversed the ridge to the Aiguille du Croissant. Some deep snow. From the Aiguile du Croissant down towards to Mur de Côte there are some crevasses and ice to take into account. We went a little to far to descend the Mur de Côte on ski's, which other parties did after us, so we downclimbed and traversed back a little. If skiing, take care for the last couple of meters, there is a soms ice in the lower part of the Mur.

Descend through the corridor was in good condition. Some small debris of ice in the middle. No sign of big ice falls.

Info on the face NW: visually there is ice on the top 1/3 of the route. Lower part in snow.

03:00 - Departure from Cabane FXB de Panossière

06:00 - Start of the Couloir du Gardien.

08:00 - above the exit

09:00 - Combin de Valsorey, easy skinning up

10:00 - Combin de Grafeinere.

12:30 (?) - Combin de la Tsessete.

13:30 - Back at Panossieres

Beautiful day!