Vallee Blanche
 

Just how difficult is it? I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that
as long as one followed a guides tracks then it wasn't that hard.

Entry is apparently icy steps: walked or bigger 'steps' that are
skiied?

Just thinking about next year.

--
-Pip

Vallee Blanche
 

On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:36:02 GMT, in
, Pip Luscher
wrote:

Just how difficult is it? I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that
as long as one followed a guides tracks then it wasn't that hard.

You read correctly. There's rarely any parts with more difficult or
technical skiing than you'd need to do red and black pistes. There may
sometimes be rutted tracks, with steep-ish drops, but again, nothing
worse than you might find in resort.

It is a long off-piste run, though, so it's essential to go with a
proper guide and take all precautions.

Entry is apparently icy steps: walked or bigger 'steps' that are
skiied?

It's a walk down an 'Arrette', a path with cut steps, a very steep
drop on one side, and an even steeper drop on the other. Normal
practice is to rope the whole group together with your guide and walk
slowly over holding skis with one hand and a fixed guide-rope with the
other. Can be very slow at busy times (~45 minutes), and if there's a
wind blowing is very exposed. And of course it's a bit of a tester if
you're afraid of heights ;-)

Just thinking about next year.

This season's still got a good month or more to run, you know.

Vallee Blanche
 

On Mar 19, 10:36*pm, Pip Luscher
wrote:
Just how difficult is it? I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that
as long as one followed a guides tracks then it wasn't that hard.

Entry is apparently icy steps: walked or bigger 'steps' that are
skiied?

Just thinking about next year.

--
-Pip

As Ace said the skiing is pretty easy although there are different
routes with different levels of difficulty. What is particularly
dangerous is the crevasses which are often hidden. Following tracks in
the snow is no good as it may be fine one day but not the next. My
advise is always to get a guide and stick to their track when they
told you so (there are generally no issues on the top part and it's
mostly the lower part which can be more dangerous - when you start to
see the big Seracs (a danger in itself as these break regularly
creating massive ice falls and triggering avalanches) and just before
you approach the Refuge du Requin). A British snowboarder died by
falling 25m in a crevasse there less than two weeks ago (they get
about 15 a year but it's not always that tragic).

My other advice is go mid-week not weekend and set off very early
(08.00 or 08.30 at bottom of the Aiguille du Midi cable car) as it get
really packed quickly. It is best to book a slot too. They often run
before the official time and they will let some people go on these.

If you want to stay very close to the gare du telecabine I recommend
the Hotel Morgane http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/chamon...le-morgane.htm

The scenery is just out of this world if the weather is fine and will
leave you with long lasting memories. The skiing in itself is not
particularly interesting. Argentiere/Grand Montets has much more
interesting skiing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
XS
Peak Retreats http://www.peakretreats.co.uk
Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk

Vallee Blanche
 

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:54:44 +0100, Ace wrote:

It's a walk down an 'Arrette', a path with cut steps, a very steep
drop on one side, and an even steeper drop on the other. Normal
practice is to rope the whole group together with your guide and walk
slowly over holding skis with one hand and a fixed guide-rope with the
other. Can be very slow at busy times (~45 minutes), and if there's a
wind blowing is very exposed. And of course it's a bit of a tester if
you're afraid of heights ;-)

Heights don't bother me. It's the drops....

Just thinking about next year.

This season's still got a good month or more to run, you know.

Unfortunately I'm on a deadline at work and seeing as I've used two
weeks of my holiday already this year, eyebrows might raise if I went
again. At home too, come to think of it. Also for Chamonix I'd prefer
to drive and it isn't worth it just for one week.

--
-Pip

Vallee Blanche
 

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:55:59 -0700 (PDT), Excess
wrote:

On Mar 19, 10:36*pm, Pip Luscher
wrote:
Just how difficult is it? I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that
as long as one followed a guides tracks then it wasn't that hard.

Entry is apparently icy steps: walked or bigger 'steps' that are
skiied?

Just thinking about next year.

As Ace said the skiing is pretty easy although there are different
routes with different levels of difficulty. What is particularly
dangerous is the crevasses which are often hidden. Following tracks in
the snow is no good as it may be fine one day but not the next. My
advise is always to get a guide and stick to their track when they
told you so

Oh, I wasn't for one moment considering going it alone. I meant /my/
guide's tracks, not just any old tracks I fancied following.

Thanks for the info, you and Ace.

--
-Pip

Vallee Blanche
 

Pip Luscher wrote:
Just how difficult is it? I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that
as long as one followed a guides tracks then it wasn't that hard.

Entry is apparently icy steps: walked or bigger 'steps' that are
skiied?

Just thinking about next year.

Useful looking description he

http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wik...Vallee-Blanche