Above Les Houches in Chamonix Valley with adult novice winter hill walker.
Start from La Cote des Chavant. Followed a narrow forest track up to the alpage at Charousse. Narrow forest track carries on up steep slopes through the forest. Mostly mixed conditions on this trail with extensive patches of ice giving way to compact snow and finally deep fresh snow.
Trail ended in deep snowfield at the flattening just below the Col de Forclaz at 1540m. Plan to summit Le Prarion abandoned due to heavy falling snow and wind and party member tiring.
Returned to La Cote via track covered in deep snow to Granges des Chavant at 1200m giving a great descent on snowshoes.
