The northern section of the Chartreuse mountains will be closed to both backcountry skiers and walkers except for one right of way. The move is being watched closely by landowners who may use a new law to block access to their lands for both skiers and walkers.
The new Trespass law is part of ecological measures but opponents worry it will be siezed on by landowners to stop people's open access to nature. Hunters have been rejoicing that they will be able to block walkers and mountain bikers from their hunting grounds. Farmers may also use the law to stop so called "eco warriors" from invading their land and destroying crops / camping.
Interesting....@davidof, I can only imagine some extremely acrimonious encounters between the different groups. Please keep us up to date on how this develops .
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
UM! aristocratic people blocking public access to land just so they and their clients can hunt. Perhaps the French Communist party should get its back bottom in gear and sort out a mass trespass like the British did on Kinder . A popular singer like Ewan MacColl would help http://youtube.com/v/YENYMwuCG2Y
Trump likely to be nominee in USA
Conflict growing around the world
Populism rife in so many countries
Progress is not always forward….
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Rogerdodger, the Chartreuse is the tip of the iceberg. Other landowners are looking at restricting access to their land which could affect other ski touring routes and off piste areas.
However a develoment in the Chartreuse. One of the French guides' unions has lodge a complaint. They wonder by what right the "gamekeepers" have to take clients on what amount to climbing routes, especially in winter when there is also an avalanche risk, without holding a guiding qualification. It is a good point as ski tourers have come across guided parties on some very steep, snow covered routes.
@davidof, given the importance French authorities attach to having the right qualifications for leading groups in the mountains for payment that is a very good point. Time to break out the popcorn?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Alastair Pink wrote:
@davidof, given the importance French authorities attach to having the right qualifications for leading groups in the mountains for payment that is a very good point. Time to break out the popcorn?
You would have thought so, moment of truth time.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@davidof, it's been happening in a few other areas, not so much land owners but the environmentalists succeeding in getting areas "interdit" on the basis of bird's habitat.
In Serre Che a massive area that was accessible from the Cibouit chair, and one that I know many SH's have skied is now roped off on the above basis.
If the area is in a National Park then ok, but in the case of Serre Che this was classic side country off-piste, and could be quite challenging and dangerous with the genuine chance of getting caught in a slide, though who would be so stupid to do that
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
One for @davidof, presumably. Has there been or are you aware of any formal statement from CAF. It strikes me that loud noises need to be made from the correct people.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Weathercam wrote:
@davidof, it's been happening in a few other areas, not so much land owners but the environmentalists succeeding in getting areas "interdit" on the basis of bird's habitat.
In Serre Che a massive area that was accessible from the Cibouit chair, and one that I know many SH's have skied is now roped off on the above basis.
If the area is in a National Park then ok, but in the case of Serre Che this was classic side country off-piste, and could be quite challenging and dangerous with the genuine chance of getting caught in a slide, though who would be so stupid to do that
I have witnessed a mud / rock slide and it is absolutely terrifying. Skiing in Bonneval 15 years ago, the slide happened across the other side of the valley. I think the snow had been holding up melted water and ice. The snow had melted sufficiently to suddenly give way and the consequent water torrent carried down rocks and mud with a very loud rumble. It was outside the ski area so thankfully we were not in danger, but there may have been people caught by it because within minutes two helicopters arrived with one hovering just above one place. I couldn't see anybody being picked up though up so hopefully nobody was affected. Withing half an hour or so there were 20 or 30 people climbing over the area looking for casualties. Hopefully nobody was caught in it and the rescue services were responding just in case or for practice. If anybody was caught in the slide I don't think the outcome would be very positive. At least with a snow avalanche and you are wearing an airbag pack and location transmitters you would stand a chance but if caught in this rock slide, I think not!
I am a inveterate hill walker in the UK, and would love to do more hiking in the Alps, but this experience certainly puts me off!
But just to be clear I hope free access continues!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Take a g*n while offpiste in France and say you're going hunting
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Rogerdodger wrote:
One for @davidof, presumably. Has there been or are you aware of any formal statement from CAF. It strikes me that loud noises need to be made from the correct people.
Nothing I've seen officially from the CAF. The French Mountaineering Federation has called for "dialog". They are more affected by the law changes as land owners are using the legislation to close access to climbing and bouldering routes.
There was a demo which attracted around "1000" people on the 15th October, according to the organisers - the Isere CAF were part of the organisation. The demonstration asked for hunting to be banned in nature reserves and for open access to wilderness.
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