Apr 13 |
 |
We’d hoped to ski the Vallée Blanche this year but had thought we’d missed our chance. But Friday’s fresh snow and Saturday’s skiing practice set us up for one of the super classic off-piste descents of the alps.
Lessons for next time? Go lighter and don’t bother to take all that gear (skins etc.) for going up hill, and even consider leaving the crampons at home thanks to those amazing fixed ropes from the Midi.
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Entry for Sunday, 13th April 2008 by 
Pete,
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Ski Mountaineering.
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(France).
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10 Responses to “Vallée Blanche”
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Sunday, April 13th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Wow!!
looks like you had a fab day! 
I’ve wanted to do the Vallee Blanche for ages.
And it looks like you got great weather aswell!!
Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Yeah, we couldn’t have planned the weather better - pouring with rain when we arrived and pouring when we left - sunny in between!
Although I did miss not getting a route done…
Can’t wait to do the “VB” again Ian, ignoring the cost of another lift pass, we almost went straight back up right there and then! So, even though it may be next year now before we get another chance, we could make a mass descent together?
Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Yes it’s a great descent isn’t it? Which side of the Rognon did you go, look fwd to seeing the map.
I’m sure I did not take skins (there isn’t any “up”, and I didn’t own any in those days anyway). I don’t think we used crampons either. Only took crevasse rescue stuff. I wouldn’t mind doing it again (= would love to, except for the cost of the ‘pherique).
Nice to see the pics.
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Many moons ago it took repeated prodding from behind with the pointy bit of an ice axe to get me out of the tunnel and onto that arete
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Anna, we went what I think is probably the easier side of the Rognon. As for taking the skins “just in case”, we thought it best to find our way carefully… Next time, now that we know the route (and the ‘quality’ of the fixed ropes), we’ll likely be a lot more adventurous!
Map. What do you mean?
Pete, yeah, I find the aréte quite scary. I guess it’s my imagination running wild - it’s a clear line of sight all the way down to Chamonix, over 2500m below!
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Some people were actually bottom sliding down some of the aréte. Bloody insane! They weren’t being adventurous, just scared of slipping. I tried to explain that they should turn around and walk backwards, but they didn’t understand my English or French, or even me showing them what to do. Thankfully there were two lines that could be taken, and three in some places, so they were easy to avoid.
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Oh, and I think next time we go we should do it when we can ski down to the valley. That not only saves a bit of money, but extends the trip. I was quite sad when we’d finished.
Although I did enjoy the beer before the train ride
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I agree with u Tish, if only the snow regularly went down to the town these days!!
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
[...] Le Palais des Glaces There were loads of people skiing the Vallée Blanche still. Hopefully we gave them something interesting to look at as they skied [...]
Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
[...] path down the arete was deeper than a few weeks before, the skis strapped on to Pete’s packs were catching on the side walls of the trench giving [...]