touno

To Lake Touno


	The Touno
The Tounot is a mountain that dominates the views to the East of St Luc. The Matterhorn may have the reputation and is a magnificent mountain but it is a long way form St Luc. For me, because of its domination over our views, the Touno fascinates and draws me as it does many more locals and visitors to St Luc. The very brave ski from the top down the, threatening, couloir accessing the daunting descent with a long and uphill climb from the rear of the mountain. In the winter the only way to do this is with Peau De Phoque (pronounced well try and say it without swearing! )skis. Basically you have a skin (peau) which used to be from the seal (phoque). The skin (now synthetic) is stuck to the bottom of the skis with a special releasing glue and the lay of the fibre allows forward motion but prevents you going backwards. Special bindings and boots allow for less restricted movement than normal ski bindings and boots, when you come down you simply take the skins off and the bindings and skis become nearly normal downhill skis. So suitably equipped you can ignore all the expensive mechanical aids that are designed to whisk you up the mountain and you can ski up the mountain under your own steam! My first attempt at this new to me style of skiing left me shattered and more downhill than uphill, but after a couple of outings, I was ready for more adventurous destinations...... ..

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	Steve showing me how to turn		Wow what a view
After a week of rainy days and not much skiing Steve, my architect, suggested we have a go at the lake Tounot at the rear and near to the top of the Tourno. “Its not difficult just 30 minute ski up some flat and just a little up” Some of Steve’s English is not as accurate as his wonderful house plans, coupled with his boundless energy and enthusiasm means that he has a tendency to make things sound much easier, closer. I have learnt that Flat = quite steep, up = steep, steep = forget it ! But never one to learn we set of 13.00 Friday to get to the Lac Tounot. It was warm, unusually warm for the time of year, we used the drags to get us to the top of the Pas De Boeuf then broke off the pistes heading for the Couloir Touno. We skied along the base of the Couloir taking us the closest I have been to it, and being that close confirmed that to ski that was definitely for the mad. We then started to go up which necessitated fixing the skins to our skis, anxious to impress my guide for the day, Steve, that I knew what I was doing I got my skins on the skis and ready to go in record time. Steve was already on his way and I was struggling already to keep up, I was making no progress, this was going to be tough. After a while Steve realised I was struggling and came back to see what was wrong, I had the skins round the wrong way! …immediately I realised I also had the wrong ski poles as I tried to push myself up the slope using the poles they disappeared up to my hands in the snow, more assistance from Steve a swap of poles, some instructions on how to change directions and off we went


	20 minutes = 1 hour In Steves English		Nothing but us snow and mountains
After about 20 minutes, all signs of our modern civilisation had disappeared just snow, mountains, stunning views and Steve making the tracks. The snow was just about right for touring the powder had some resilience, which prevented the skis from sinking in too far. After about 40 minutes, I was feeling the affects on my legs and I was very hot. ”How much further” I shouted to Steve “about 20 minutes to our first stop”...... First Stop ! For once 20 minutes was about correct, the views were getting more spectacular as we got further round towards the back of the Touno. The silence was incredible all I could here was the shish and clump of my skis…. And my panting! Then a roof started to come into view and we were soon at a small mountain lodge, barbeque and benches stacked outside what a wonderful summer retreat. Drinks and a bar of chocolate and I started to feel better “How much further” I asked Steve “ 30-40 minutes but flatter with just a small incline”...... Hmm !



	Skis off time for a ....		Much apreciated rest
Suitably rested we set off again Steves "flat" was as expected a gentle uphill way up ahead Steve pointed to our destination a rock by the lake. 40 minutes later and I was sure the rock was becoming a mirage and seemed to be moving further away. We then came across another set of tracks and followed them up. The scenery was even more spectacular and the top of the Touno seemed to be within touching distance but that I judged was perhaps another 2-3 hours and to be left for another day and more time.


	Not Far		Someone else has been here

		One day the top!
The old legs were really beginning to feel the strain, my feet were beginning to hurt and my skis felt as if the weighed 5 times more than when I started, but finally we were there The temperature was dropping very quickly and soon I was loosing the feeling in my fingers. It was too awkward to remove the skins with thick gloves so I had to do it with them off. It made me realise just how quick things can change on the mountain and that you must be prepared for all eventualities. The ski down was fantastic I still have not quite got to grips with off piste powder skiing but I managed, and loved it, going where there were no tracks, not quite being able to see what was over the next ridge pure adrenalin rush fabulous. In about 15 minutes we were joining the track down from the Hotel Weisshorn and then a very slushy Prilet.


	The face says it all		Feet up time


		We got back to the chalet at about 18.00 What an afternoon….