Past Two Weeks
+ 160
Menton to Sospel (Alpine Arc Ski Traverse. Day 1)
Backcountry Skiing Route
Details
11.53 mi
4,777 ft
Follow the GR5 over a couple of cols to Sospel
OK so this is probably the only days "ski touring" you'll ever do where you're unlikely to see any snow. But you're in for the long haul here, so suck it up and get used to carrying your skis- hopefully tomorrow from Sospel it won't all be carrying! Our vision is a journey of many weeks, months or even years, if you split it, to cross the whole Alpine Arc from the Mediterranean to Vienna. It has been done many times, perhaps by a few hundred people, and there are a number of books describing it. Undoubtedly it is hard work but deeply rewarding, particularly, as described here, without using any mechanised transport on the entire journey.
Leaving Menton from the port you will pass numerous locals giving you distinctly funny looks as you walk past the palm trees with skis on your pack. After parading down the promenade you will be following the well marked GR52 trail all the way to Sospel, crossing a couple of cols in the process, over 1000m each one of them, so although overall altitude is low this is still a tough day from sea level. Your exciting journey has commenced! Written by Jon Morgan
OK so this is probably the only days "ski touring" you'll ever do where you're unlikely to see any snow. But you're in for the long haul here, so suck it up and get used to carrying your skis- hopefully tomorrow from Sospel it won't all be carrying! Our vision is a journey of many weeks, months or even years, if you split it, to cross the whole Alpine Arc from the Mediterranean to Vienna. It has been done many times, perhaps by a few hundred people, and there are a number of books describing it. Undoubtedly it is hard work but deeply rewarding, particularly, as described here, without using any mechanised transport on the entire journey.
Leaving Menton from the port you will pass numerous locals giving you distinctly funny looks as you walk past the palm trees with skis on your pack. After parading down the promenade you will be following the well marked GR52 trail all the way to Sospel, crossing a couple of cols in the process, over 1000m each one of them, so although overall altitude is low this is still a tough day from sea level. Your exciting journey has commenced! Written by Jon Morgan
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