La Grande Casse

This is the daunting and impressive north face of La Grande Casse, the highest point of the Vanoise, and the distant crag next to the Grand Motte in yesterday's picture. The steep ice wall to the right is about 600m long and a well known climb, and I think the snowy face further along to the right is skied by some. The south side is much less severe and is a popular spring ski and alpine walk.

There is no snow forecast for at least the next nine days, taking us well into February. The concierge in my building spoke of a report of no snow until around the 25th. By which time, there may only be bare rock for snow to fall on. Sigh.