RECULETS

Theoriginal idea was to climb the Reculet once a week. That soon became unrealistic given normal life constraints.

It is most definitely possible to do but would require not doing so much more.

In any case this is a diary of the times that it is visited.

Rules are as follows to count as a visit:

  1. The cross must be touched on every summit, ideally accompanied by a photo

  2. The attempt may be done by bike, by skis, or by foot running or walking

  3. The summit may be visited twice or more in one trip, ensuring that there is at least 300m+ elevation in between summits and that the approach route is not the same on both visits, meanwhile respecting rules 1 and 2

  4. The process should ideally be enjoyed, most likely in some holistic kind of manner

This began in October 2022 and will run for as long as I can be bothered documenting it. There are some notable ommisions.

#1 22/10/2022

Beautiful autumnal day. Starting from Crozet following the lift line up to Montoisey, then along the balcon to Grand Crêt and Crêt de la Neige before heading up to Reculet. Descent via zone nature sauvage and freestyle line through the forest. Major hunger strike after three hours.

#2 20/11/2022

Express summit starting at the Tiocan. Up via Nardarans and down via the reservoirs. What looked like the first snow of the year turned out to be a coarse layer of frost. We were unfortunate not to get views from the summit, but it was atmospheric nonetheless.

I felt substantially faster after coming back from Cuba and having been hours perched on my bike. I managed to run almost all, which is a marked improvement from only a month ago.

I am duly aware that I am already behind schedule by the end of November, but there is plenty of time to catch up. All going well, winter will bring a solid base of snow all the way down to the Tiocan and multiple visits to the iron carbunkle sitting proud at the summit will be easy.

#3 26/11/2022

Late Saturday afternoon up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans. The pace was contained and the ground was mostly frozen. The snow was definitely less than would be ideally desired at this time of year.

A most enjoyable sortie in magnificant light.

#4 01/12/2022

The first of many to be done in the dark. Up and down via the reservoirs. Not much to see, the sunrise that was promised was hidden behind a blanket of muggy fog. In the office at 8h20- bloody lovely.

#5 06/12/2022

Grey in the office, no sight of the tops. Express classic up and down via reservoirs. All snow that was there had hardened and going was good. Cloud inversion from la Croisette. This during lunch should make every person feel happy to be alive.

Quite fast going- 1h16 up and down without really putting the foot down.

#6 18/12/2022

The last one of 2022 and the first one on skis for this winter. Before leaving the question was asked as to whether it was worth taking the skis and the answer was inconclusive. Still feeling the effects of the acupuncture from a week previously, the knee was not really appreciating the additional 10kg on my back and progress was steady, if not rapid.

Classic start from the Tiocan up and down via the reservoirs, up via the forested combe and down the northeast face where the snow was surprisingly soft and largely unaffected by the vicious winds whipped up the south. Still severely lacking in base and impossible to ski down the road as in previous years. Nonetheless a rather pleasant outing. 2h30 in total. It might be the only one on skis this year unless things pick up drastically in January.

#7 16/02/2023

The first one of 2023 and given the lean winter in terms of snow, it was on foot. The way up passed pretty easy, with just the sector before the junction needing the micro spikes. It probably woul have passed without, but we had the spikes in the bag so no big delay to stop and put them on.

A magical, crisp morning. Superb views.

Up and down via the reserviors.

#8 16/03/2023

Quite a bit behind schedule at this point, noted.

I managed to sneak off a bit early from work to get this one in. Superb evening and great conditions. Up via Nardarans and down via reservoirs.

#9 17/03/2023

The day before felt good so jumped on an invite to head out after work on a Friday again. Another superb evening. Up via Nardarans and down via the reservoirs. 1h45 all in.

Forgot to start the watch.

#10 09/04/2023

A brisk up and down via Nardarans and down via reservoirs. Lovely day and a quick pace, 1h35 with a silly detour trying to descend the ski face.

#11 04/06/2023

Over a month between the last visit. Up via Nardarans along to la Cret de la Neige with friends. No time.

 
 

#12 11/06/2023

A grey afternoon but good to get out after a week in London. Classic Tiocan up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans. 1:25 with a quick descent.

#13 13/06/2023

It was a sporadic last-minute decision to go up after work. A classic Tiocan (repeating theme) up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans. 1:18 and apparently a PB on the descent. Really lovely, soft evening light.

 
 

#14 03/08/2023

I’m not entirely sure how I managed to go all of July without doing one Reculet- poor show. Anyway, Two sets of visitors and a hot evening after work. Classic Tiocan up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans. Leisurely pace up and PB on the section from Nardarans to Tiocan pushed on by others- 1:40.

Rookie error not taking any photos.

#15 09/08/2023

Another post-work jaunt. A classic Tiocan up and down via Nardarans. Excellent light- 1:35.

#16 24/08/2023

A pre-work jaunt this time. The sunrise light was simply ridiculous. Fast up and down classic Tiocan up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans- 1:22.

 
 

#17 10/10/2023

An after-work effort. Up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans. Missed the sunset at the top but still got the best of the twighlight. Steady pace with a fast descent- 1:33.

 
 

#18 13/10/2023

Classic Tiocan Up via reservoirs and down via Nardarans. Friendly goats were enjoying some dinner. Steady pace- 1:34.

 
 

#19 08/02/2024

The first of the year after a long day of flying back from Japan the day before. Winter(ish) conditions, with firm snow underfoot for the top part of the climb. The slope above the reservoirs was a bit iced over. Micro-spikes were required for some.

Classic Tiocan via the reservoirs. 1:38 after a few stops to deal with crampons etc. Not too bad.