Start from the Hamlet of La Cote above the ski resort of Les Houches. The plan was to take the "normal route" up to Col de la Forclaz then on to Tete Noir 1746m. The route rises up to the very pretty Alpage at Charousse. From there the route follows a good track that rises up at an nice angle NNE above Les Bouchards. At the point the track turns sharply S, the route splits and a steeper more technical path rises through the forest to Col de la Forcalz. However, my option was for a more gentle climb on open forest tracks following the sign post for the Col de Voza. At the 1282m spot height the route splits again and we turn NE again towards Forclaz. However, after a short distance there was avalanche debris from small slips that appears to have been triggered by blocks falling from steeper ground above on the E slopes of Le Prarion. It was prudent to change plans at that point. I opted to take a circular route back to Charousse and have lunch at a very pretty spot in the sun. After lunch we took an exploratory route through woods and meadows and having fun in deep snow until we were back at La Cote.
