It seems that I'm forever driving through the Mont Blanc tunnel these days to experience the powder delicacies found over on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
Once again on Friday we headed through to see what goods the first opening of the Arp lift (the top lift) would bring.
A Blue bird day but with strong cold NE winds blowing gave the upper ridge a big mountain feel. A huge slab avalanche release over towards the Val Veni descent gave the mountains a further serious feel, further Avalanche activity showed slides released on all aspects and a quick snowpack test showed some very weak compressible layers hidden deep below the surface with hard formed windslab on top. Hmmm not ideal!
I made the decision to head riders left to the Dolonne descent, here the upper slopes had already slid and the access showed no signs of danger. Once through the first col we were then treated to a great run of the untracked powder we are getting accustomed to finding over here in Italia this winter.
For a desert we took the run in to the Val Veni from the Youla traverse which also provided some great untracked powder and a beautiful descent with which to finish off the day.
Today for the final day we rode the Rognons Glacier from the top of the Grands Montets, the snow was ok out of the wind but our descent was hampered by flat light. A second descent down the front face in the combe de rochers gave better visibility and better snow but this week its definitely been Courmayeur 2 Chamonix 1.
Cold conditions and strong winds are affecting a rapidly changing snowpack. South westerly winds 2 days ago, North Easterly the last 2 days! Everything is changing, temperatures, winds, snow. Its hard to keep track so be careful out there and choose carefuly the terrain you ride!
Advanced BC this coming week with Seb whilst I'm with some competition winners from a TNF Comp.
Another great week in the bag, all is good!
Neil.
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