Up the mountain the spring slush is in full effect for the jibbers and out of bounds the good cold snow is scarce and hard to find.
It just so happens however that we've manged to find it once again this week on my last BC Intro of the season so here's how its panned out!
Monday we rode fresh snow on the top tickets at the Grands Montets, no queues and fresh lines all day with 6 laps of deep fresh (see previous post).
Tuesday we headed out touring, keeping high for the good snow, heading up the Argentiere glacier and turning left to hike up the Amethyste Glacier and the Col du Tour Noire.
Heading up towards the Amethyste Glacier.
The fast bunch heading for the top!A big day on snowshoes for sure, half the team made the top, with UK Freeride super star Will Hughes who had joined us for the day, the others cut out just short of the top with a traverse over to join the big descent back into the valley.
Will Hughes charges the Amethyste!
Closely followed by Richie.
Phillipe in the mix.A big first tour for sure and a good effort all round!
Wednesday we headed over to Courmayeur, my 85th and 86th goes through the tunnel this season. I'd not been over there for a week or so and so it was bit of a shock to see how much snow has disappeared in just a week!
We did a Val Veni run off the Arp, it was good to about half way down and then tricky in the couloir due to avalanche debris. The lower couloir was good down to the river crossing but I don't see the snow bridge across the river lasting much longer and the river is in full flow!
Today, Thursday, we did a Heli drop up on the Trient Plateau (same as we did last Friday).
The pilot let me fly us up there! yeah right!!
Hiking up towards the peak on the right!
We made good time today with John pulling on the front!I kind of expected a freeze thaw or wind affected descent and so was super surprised to find good cold winter freshies all the way down to just above the exit couloir!
Richie jibbing it up on the Grands!
David getting fresh lines!
Tim on the middle part of the descent, great snow!
John making fresh lines!
Chris visits winter wonderland in mid April!Total end of season bonus!!
compulsory commando finish!A massive wet snow slide (must have been on Sunday with all the rain) had slid into the lower Couloir which made the exit a bit tricky and then we opted for the walk out on the summer trail to the Col du Forclaz, which worked out pretty easy and so no real commando finish and a Bar at the end of the hike out!
Not so bad!!
So far a pretty good week then.
Heading into the Valley Blanche tomorrow to see what's happening up there. Will probably do a Grand Envers and exit by the Requin couloir. I've not ridden this side of the VB this season so it'll be a bit of an explore for me and it'll be quite interesting to see how things have changed.
All is good! but very hot!! in Chamonix!
Neil.
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