Between seasons !
The Planpraz/Brévent – Flégère/Index –Tour/col de Balme – Valllorcine – Lognan/ Grands Montets – Prarion lifts are closed. The following are still open : Montenvers train–Aiguille du Midi cable car –Bellevue cable car (until 24th September) – Monte Bianco Skyway, (Italy).
Many of the huts are now closed; more information on the Chamoniarde site.
There is snow down to 1800m, and at 2000m there is 10 to 20cms in some places. The Loriaz and Moëde Anterne huts have 15cm of snow, 10/15 cm at the Albert 1er, 20 cm at the Leschaux , 30 cm at the Goûter, Torino and Conscrits and 50 cm of new snow at the Cosmiques.
It is cold for the time of year. At mid-altitudes in the morning the ground is frozen, (use mountain boots and hiking poles), and snow covered in some areas. This creates difficulties on some paths. At higher altitudes, the temperatures are low (-10° at 3300/3500m), with almost winter conditions. There were strong winds during some of the snow falls, creating both snow drifts and patches of bare ice. Take care on the glaciers, the snow and wind have helped form snow bridges which can be extremely fragile. The rocks are plastered with snow but the gullies are not yet in condition!
There has not been a lot of activity in the high mountain recently.
Aiguille du Midi sector : some parties on the Chéré couloir, (abseil descent, be careful of other parties). The Triangle du Tacul looks snow covered but appearances can be deceiving. Parties turned back on the Pointes Lachenal traverse, (windslab.)
Torino sector, the Marbrées and Entrèves traverses were done in winter conditions. Parties turned back on the Rocherfort Ridge, (bare ice.)
Albert 1er sector : the Petite Fourche has been done.
Chamonix Aiguilles sector : everything is plastered.
Conscrits sector: no activity for the moment.