The forecast was fairly clear this morning, rain and cloud clearing in the afternoon. My plan was to leave my car at Pont de Nant and use the group’s minibus to get back to Solalex then set out on a round of the Tour Argentine. When I’d gone up to the refuge Giacomini last week there was about 90% snow cover up to the pas de Cheville. That has dropped a little by today and it was fairly easy if damp walk up there today. Dropping back to the refuge Giacomini the climb to the col des Essets looked quite awkward and I’d no prior knowledge as I hadn’t crossed that far last week. I’d say there was more snow than I expected on the way up but my guess that the south side would be nearly clear turned out correct.
The sun did make an appearance, although once it did then the snow started to evaporate and we had some patches of fog. We did manage to spot some ibex, chamois, marmottes and salamanders. And, I’m pleased to say when we reached pont de Nant the bar was open and we enjoyed a beer in the evening sun.
