Hillary is Back: ski touring above the Chazelet  

We were thinking of blizzard-bound New Englanders yesterday and thought these sun-filled images might be appreciated. Before celebrating our friend Mathilde's birthday last night at François' family's place above la Grave, Hill and I headed up to ski for the day before bad weather and hangovers rolled in this morning. I can rarely think of a mellow tour feeling so satisfying, for three reasons: 1) Hill was finally healthy and we were able to get out for the first time together in weeks 2) we expected a combination of wind scoured and wind slabed snow and in the end were able to find sheltered goods and 3) skiing through sun-drenched terrain and turning around to the see the north face of the Meije is awesome. As we eyed the higher summits in all directions, I think we both started regaining the motivation for tackling big days out together. Good thing the ski season is still young!