The idea of a new getaway in the Swiss mountains was born, as it had so often been the case during a pleasant evening at New Roc, behind a mountain of spaghetti bolo and the company of a good Trappist.
It was agreed relatively quickly on our goal: the mighty peak of the Ruinette , 3875m in the Valais West. This almost-4000, climbed for the first time July 5, 1865 by the famous Whymper, Christian Almer and Franz with Biner, or eight days before the ascent of the Matterhorn, promised to be an incredible lookout on the high peaks of 4000m and over all around. Incidentally, it was thought also to a rise of the tip Otemma, beautiful triangle above the Chanrion Shack, in which we would base for two days.
Mid-June, it finally gets started! Once at the Swiss border and past the front post, the flood begins: a true "national drache" s'abbat on us and accompany us into the valley Bagnes.
parking below the Mauvoisin. 
When you see her cute yellow signs, we know we are in Switzerland!
Dreamer 4000 (D) an update of the situation: it is not my beautiful but weather seems to be evolving positively.
View of the foothills of the Weeping very impressive, 3704m. 
We climb to the top of Mauvoisin, an architectural masterpiece up some 250m (= second arch dam in the world in terms of size), and then follow the road all the along the west shore of the lake. Different artificial waterfalls and non-artificial amaze us all along. 
View of the dam and lake. Gradually the weather improved.
After reaching the end of this lake really long (beyond 5km), we enter a wonderful wild landscape and desert (we will not see anyone that day). 
After a rise of 3:30, we arrive at the shelter. Although it is not yet kept (it will be two days later), we may still have to use the entire surface. 
We must not fight for a good place in dorm!
The next day, closed at 5am. We wanted to make the ascent of the Pointe Otemma, 3403m, PD, but we realize immediately realize that this is out of question today: it is snowing lightly, a thin layer of white covers over 2800m . Jump to venture onto a mountain whose normal route is not very clear, and more difficulty II-III, and snow cover is too much!
We then decided to vote unanimously to descend on Mount April, 3347m, summit deemed easy, but today we do not hard!
Regarding the rise of Ruinette we abandonons that idea: the mountain, we can see through clouds, comes in a thick layer of snow, which we would certainly retard, and perhaps even dangerous to climb.
left, the Mont Gele, 3518M, and right on Mont Avril. Below, the lake Chanrion. 
Descending into the valley, we see the magnificent Spout Epicoune, 3529m. The normal method (PD +), up by the north ridge to the left. 
We let go a cry of joy at seeing this great mass of rocks and snow, Ruinette! The picture speaks for itself, the conditions seem to winter up there.
The climb to the window Durand, 2797m, takes us through a landscape of breathtaking beauty!
Beginning a huge snowfield, the path is supposed to follow the moraine left but we prefer to follow the right flank.
A sea of mountains, all to discover ...
The huge mass of Mont Gele is watching over us.
In front of us, and Pointe Ruinette Otemma.
The path climbs gradually ...
Dreamer 4000 (D) in the last slopes before the pass.
Arrive Window Durand. A huge panorama the mountains of Valle d'Aosta ahead. We realize that we are still early in the year: part of the neck is covered with snow two feet high!
As the mist seems to happen, we soon and continue to the summit.
A small path up the slope in a zig-zag, the terrain is very easy but the altitude makes us walk more slowly.
Fifty meters below the summit, a large snowfield blocks our path. We are pleased with this touch "alpine" and slippers spikes. Quietly, we climb the steep snowfield (35 ° according Dreamer 4000 (D).
Happy, we arrive at the summit. The view is breathtaking: Combins nearby countless summits of the Valais, Gran Paradiso, La Grivola, etc..
Combin of Grafeneire, 4317m, left, and the combination of Tsesette, 4141m, right.
A sea of mountains, all to discover ... 
The two giants of Val d'Aosta: Gran Paradiso, 4061m, and Grivola, 3969m.
The Beak Epicoune remains a wonderful summit, seen from below or from above.
Dreamer 4000 (D) is trying - in vain, to join his family. A little later, a few tens of meters below the summit, he finally found the network.
Ascension "heroic" the highest point of Mont Avril :-)
We descend the small snowfield without penalty.
Looking down on the window of Durand.
The huge mass of Mont Gele is watching over us. 
In front of us, and Pointe Ruinette Otemma. 
After a cons-mounted + / - 200m, we are back to the Shack Chanrion. We're glad our ascent of Mount April.
It relaxes, eats, drinks a glass of a delicious drink :-)
Note especially the wonderful slippers!
Note especially the wonderful slippers! 
In front of the shelter, the east face of Combin de Tsessette, 1000m high, is particularly impressive.
Took a shot of euphoria sudden, we decided to explore the beginning of the normal Point Otemma. En route, we encounter this herd of goats.
Happened to 2700m, we stop the rise. The slope is very steep and difficult and we feel tired from the climb that has already been done today.
Took a shot of euphoria sudden, we decided to explore the beginning of the normal Point Otemma. En route, we encounter this herd of goats. 
Happened to 2700m, we stop the rise. The slope is very steep and difficult and we feel tired from the climb that has already been done today. 
The Ruinette is very attractive, but alas, we know that current conditions will not allow us to make the ascent.
views of Mont Gele, Mont Avril and lakes Chanrion are beautiful!
Descending Point Otemma, we discover a vast field blocks, which provides us with the escalation of the highlights!
Dreamer 4000 (D) is very comfortable in this kind of terrain and overcomes difficulties easily.
Make the block in a landscape is like a dream!
the evening we have a good discussion with Jackie Farquet, the guardian of sympathiqye Chanrion Shack, which has just arrived that day. The very next day, the shelter will be opened and maintained until the end of September. The caretaker warns us of the storm expected tomorrow afternoon. Thus, we decided to abandon the Pointe Otemma and get back to the road the next morning. We tell him we shall return perhaps in September to do another test on the two mountains.
After a good night's sleep, an extra-ordinary morning. Not a cloud in the sky blue, the colors are very vivid.
We choose the path of the pass and Lake Tsofeiret to return. Point Otemma right.
Motif classic, certainly, but it works at all time!
Combin of Tsesette, more beautiful than ever.
the evening we have a good discussion with Jackie Farquet, the guardian of sympathiqye Chanrion Shack, which has just arrived that day. The very next day, the shelter will be opened and maintained until the end of September. The caretaker warns us of the storm expected tomorrow afternoon. Thus, we decided to abandon the Pointe Otemma and get back to the road the next morning. We tell him we shall return perhaps in September to do another test on the two mountains. 
After a good night's sleep, an extra-ordinary morning. Not a cloud in the sky blue, the colors are very vivid. We choose the path of the pass and Lake Tsofeiret to return. Point Otemma right. This small bridge us through the current that comes from the glacier Brenay.
Motif classic, certainly, but it works at all time! 
Combin of Tsesette, more beautiful than ever. 
arrived at the Col de Tsofeiret, 2635m, we take a last look at the Mont Gele and Mont Avril.
From here, the path follows a panoramic balcony above Lake Mauvoisin.
From here, the path follows a panoramic balcony above Lake Mauvoisin.
Lake Mauvoisin, responsible, and the Weeping, right.
After a steep descent, we arrive at the dam. We're a little sad that the adventure is already over. While we have not reached our goals, but are still very satisfied with beautiful moments experienced.
When left for a few days, then you simply get lucky with the conditions. Deep snow we would have seriously slowed down in the long climb to the Ruinette, and could have made the upper reaches dangerous. Regarding Point Otemma, it was out of the question to start climbing when it was covered with a layer of fresh snow.
