Before any attempt on Mont Blanc, acclimatization is a process everyone has to go through. With our team of 3 people from Iceland, we spend 2 days in altitude : on the first day we traverse from the Aiguille du Midi to Punta Helbronner, and on the way we climb the easy Petit Flambeau ; we sleep at the Cosmiques Hut (3600m) ; the second day we climb the Mont-Blanc du Tacul (4200m) and go back to the valley. After one day of recuperation, we should be ready for the big mountain !

Chamonix is very busy these days. The challenge is to find places without too many people. It's easier if you take the skins for a tour far from the lifts. I didn't want to drive, so I chose the closest peak, just above my place : the Aiguillette des Houches, known for its fantastic view on the Mont Blanc range. I was lucky : I saw just one person - it's better for the photo ! On the way down, the NW couloir (la Vogealle) was in perfect powder.