It would have been a simple, if tough, walk if it hadn’t been for the snow near the top. At the point where we left the track and started following a rough path through the grass, we were walking on a thin covering of wet snow – which put off the majority of the group. We were also walking in intermittent mist. Following the path took up into colder snow, and a more gentle slop to the final summit, across an impressive ridge with one face looking over the valley we had come up by, in bright autumn colours, and the other face snow covered and dissapearing into a cloud-filled valley.

Photos on Fotopic

Sunday 3rd December 2006

Plateau St Barnabe / Puy de Tourrettes

By popular request, another walk on a Sunday. This one is guaranteed (maybe) to be easier than the last couple of weeks. We also have a couple of choices to extend the walk, either going at the top, or to take an easier route down. The short version and the longer version . Both follow the same route up to (948 m – b.85). The higher route looks like it offers a better view, and looking at the map doesn’t seem to have any difficult parts. We can decide based on the weather, the walking conditions and how keen everyone feels.

This is an EASY walk, between 3-5 hours walking, and between 350m and 650m ascent (we make the choice after 1 hour).
After the excitement of last week, we agreed that we should start earlier, and given the transport, meeting point is now La Colle-sur_Loup, at 9:30. Villeneuve Loubet train station is en-route if anyone needs to be picked up there. I think there is parking there, but depending on how people are travelling and where from, we may change the detail.
Please make sure I know in advance if you intend to come, and that I (or whoever is giving you transport) have your phone number in case of any changes (like bad weather). My number is 06 80 01 11 09.

Discussion Thread

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Meeting at E Leclerc, La Colle-sur-loup at 9:30

Walk starts at Courmes.
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Advertised as a 5 hour ‘sportive’, we did this walk in reverse order. It took us about 6 1/2 hours, including a slightly hurried lunch. The ascent was over an amazing view over the coast – very steep, and very hot (even though it was only about 15 degrees). The descent on the north facing side was easier, though slippery at the top. The lower half of the way down was a concrete road, and would have been much less interesting for the ascent.

Sean