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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 |
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#2
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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. |
#3
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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 |
#4
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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 |
#5
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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 |
#6
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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 |
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