When it was time to open the mountain huts of the Mont-Blanc massif, the the guardians of the refuges can find this to be difficult, particularly when the refuge is covered in hard packed snow. At the Refuge des Conscrits, they even had to bring out the chainsaw.
At the end of winter, clearing snow from the Conscrits refuge (Les Contamines-Montjoie) is giving its Guardian, Christine Mattel a lot of trouble. Deep and compacted snow surrounds the Refuge which is perched at an altitude of 2,602 meters above sea level, overlooking the Tré-la-Tête glacier.
The caretaker was able to count on the support of her family and friends to remove the snowpack. But sometimes a shovel wasn't enough. They had to use a chainsaw to cut into the hard snow and create blocks that were easier to remove.
Little by little, the fans of the Conscrits exposed the refuge, gained access and to the joy and of many mountaineers, the hut is being prepared for the summer season.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Refuge-des-Conscrits-100057411401731
Le Dauphiné
