Super dupermoon.

Super Dupermoon night and the sunset over Avoriaz was spectacular!

If you haven’t had enough of super dupermoon pics already, here’s another one coming up… I think this might be the best you’ve seen… Oh, and a nice sunset over a cloud inversion to keep it interesting. 😉

It’s been like pea soup around Les Gets all day and the chances of seeing the super dupermoon weren’t looking too promising.

We’ve had this pencilled in since we first saw it mentioned and with a reasonable forecast for today, we had been pretty excited. More often than not, the weather turns out better than the forecast and it came as a bit of a surprise when the mist didn’t lift as the day wore on.

Our plan A was to hike up Mont Caly with some bits and pieces for a small fire. That way, we could keep the kids occupied (and warm) toasting marshmallows while we hung about gazing at the moon. Along with the fire stuff, we had torches, extra clothes and nibbles ready to go so that we could pick the kids up, get going and hopefully catch the sunset as well. By 4.00pm though, the fog still wasn’t budging and it was beginning to look like moon spotting might be a waste of time. There was a chance we’d end up above the cloud but risking it and dragging two kids up a hill to sit in the fog didn’t seem like such a good idea.

Then, Nina had a brainwave. “Check the Avoriaz webcams to see if it’s clear up there.” Genius!

avoriaz-webcam
Brilliant insight from the Mossettes webcam. I think the little lump in the cloud directly below the M in Mossettes is the top of Mont Chery. Avoriaz is just beneath the cloud in the foreground. #portesdusoleil

 

 

A quick look at the Pointe de Mossettes cam revealed blue skies and a stunning cloud inversion. It looked like only the very top of Mont Chery was peeping out but we’d never get the kids up there before dark. Avoriaz itself was only just below the cloud layer and we decided we’d take the risk and drive up there on the off chance the cloud would sink lower and we’d get a view.

More fog on the road up to Avoriaz.
More fog on the road up to Avoriaz.

 

It was thick fog the whole way up the 20 or so switchbacks from Morzine.

A few minutes after the 'fog' photo, we broke out into clear blue skies at Avoriaz.
A few minutes after the ‘fog’ photo, we broke out into clear blue skies at Avoriaz.

 

Then, half an hour after leaving home and just as we pulled onto the roundabout at the entrance to the town of Avoriaz, the mist cleared revealing blue skies and a stunning orange glow to the East. The sun had gone but the view over the gilted blanket of cloud with peaks popping out like little islands was spectacular!

Avoriaz, France. Parts of the town were visible above the cloud inversion as the sun was setting.
Avoriaz, France. Parts of the town were visible above the cloud inversion as the sun was setting.

 

We drove to the highest bit of town we could get to, parked up and hiked along a snowy cat-track to the top of the Telesiege du Tour lift. There were a handful of other moon watchers dotted around with tripods set up and we spent a few minutes looking back in the other direction admiring the fading colours of the sunset.

On our way to catch the Super Dupermoon, Avoriaz was looking resplendent through the cloud inversion.
On our way to catch the Super Dupermoon, Avoriaz was looking resplendent through the cloud inversion.
Iz, T and Darth Vader admiring the view.
Iz, T and Darth Vader admiring the view.

 

It was magnificent up there. Crisp cool air, bright stars, fluffy snow, views back over Avoriaz and the sunset beyond. When the moon broke cover over the shoulder of Pointe de Chesery, things got even more breathtaking and bright moonlight bathed the peaks and all around us, casting long shadows on the snowy ground.

Waiting for the super dupermoon.
Nina joined the tripod posse waiting for the moon. The kids found more important things to get on with.

 

The moon was big but without wanting to be a spoil sport, I was actually expecting a bit more from a super dupermoon. I’m convinced we’ve seen it bigger than that before and I must admit, I was expecting ‘Bruce Almighty’ proportions… Still awesome though.

So, there’s a 34 year wait until the next supermoon of this size. Nina had gone to the trouble of dusting off the old DSLR to get a better shot in the dark than our usual trusty iPhones. We captured a snap that will remind us of a special evening forever. The pinnacle of our photography portfolio. We give you… Super dupermoon!

Super dupermoon
It’s huge isn’t it! Almost like you could just reach out and touch it! And so clear!

 

The kids had dug super dupermoon viewing snow seats into the ground, so we hung around for half an hour or so spotting shooting stars before stumbling back down to the van. Chilly and tired, but exhilarated from our family hike we set off back down into the pea soup for home and a late dinner. On a school night, as well!

It was a shame about the pic but the whole evening was another memorable and fun experience for us and the kids. After a day down in the cloud it was great to get up high and see the sky for an hour or two. We also realised that it’s a good start point for a high family camp on a dark starry night next summer.

P.S. Here’s one we took earlier… This photo is from Saturday. Not technically a full moon but still pretty big and a much better shot.

Super Dupermoon over Les Gets, Saturday 12th November 2016.
Super Dupermoon over Les Gets, Saturday 12th November 2016.

 

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