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The Geography Department
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Taken August 1999
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The general setting of Alp d'Huez, on its south-facing slope with a good area of moderate ski slopes behind it. The favourable gradient here contrasts to the semi-precipitous valley sides opposite the resort, and to either side.
800AHAlpwide.jpg (87503 bytes)
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The village rests on a bench on the hillside, with the nursery runs leading up to the first station of the lift system. Extensive lifts take summer and winter visitors alike up the Pic Blanc for all-year glacier snow (where mountain bikers start their decent!) or around the mountain to other ski-areas.
800AHAlpzoom.jpg (84476 bytes) |
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The intensity of early ski-ing is shown in a view from a local postcard. Little accommodation appears available, but the road must have been under considerable pressure of traffic.
800AHAlp50's.jpg (112171 bytes) |
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Just above the village is a motley collection of steelwork; lifts to serve the nursery runs in winter!
800AHAlpLowerLift.jpg (117050 bytes) |
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More steelwork dominates the slopes to the first station, both for gondolas (or buckets as the ski-people call them!) and tow lifts.
800AHAlpEngines.jpg (117214 bytes) |
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Alp d'Huez frequently had valley cloud on the move through the village. This shows cloud, a gondola going up, and the piste cut into the mountain - bottom left.
800AHAlpGondolas.jpg (90770 bytes) |
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Further up, the same morning, at the middle station and the pistes are more prominent.
800AHAlpLift.jpg (130012 bytes) |
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Behind the middle station and the aridity of the piste cut into the mountain is clear. Together with the architectural loveliness of the building and array of microwave masts, the scene is one of despoilation.
800AHAlpMiddleLift.jpg (153046 bytes) |
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The view to middle station from below. To get the ski-ers past the rock cliff a wide terrace has been cut for the piste. The top station for Pic Blanc is on the skyline.
800AHAlpLiftRamp.jpg (137640 bytes) |
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This is the very top of the ski piste on Pic Blanc. The mountain falls away precipitously to the left of the ski catch-netting, and the piste curves down to the right.
800AHTopslope.jpg (117395 bytes) |
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The piste cuts through a shoulder or ridge of the mountain, blasted from solid rock. The piste and debris glare white in the sun. Many decades will pass before such infertile slopes will revegetate in the brief summer season. In winter, of course, the full horror of this surgery is not apparent.
800AHAlpGash.jpg (127931 bytes) |
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Not quite unspoiled( people must have somewhere to park their cars!), but nevertheless, a fine landscape and a treasure for walkers. This shot was from the line of the main lift.
800AHAlpScene.jpg (144366 bytes) |
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The car park serves a mountain restaurant, with two idyllic lakes alongside. Walks lead around the mountain, which is a pedestrian motorway on a Sunday!
800AHAlpCarPark.jpg (134670 bytes)
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Erosion on steep slopes has allowed whole faces of the mountain to slide down into the valley. Here, however, it is the need to protect the built-up are below from avalanches, which has led to this extensive tree planting in rows around the slope. The slowness of growth with such short summers is evident, many of the saplings were very poor specimens .. as this is really above the tree-line!
800AHAlpTrees.jpg (133621 bytes)
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France Alp d'Huez glaciers mountains walking leisure skiing lifts settlement avalanche planting |
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