High Altitude Camping - TR

Sort of in preperation for going to Alaska I decided to check out some of my equipment by camping up at the Col du Midi, this is about 3500m high and is the big flat area under the top of the Aiguille du Midi lift. Martina is heading off to the North Col of everest next week as well and decided to come along to check out her sleeping bag and puffa.

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_1_s.jpg
When we arrived the weather was ok but it was just starting to clag over.

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_2_s.jpg
By the time we had sorted out the tent and stuff it was a whiteout. We had planned to do an evening ascent and ski of the Tacul but the weather meant the we just hung about in the tent.

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_3_s.jpg
At about 19:00 it started to clear again so we decided to have a little walk to the Cosmiques Arete

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_5_s.jpg
Up on the arete as the sun sets

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_6_s.jpg
Looking over at the cosmiques couloir

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_7_s.jpg
We had been hoping to ski down that face while it looked like that, shame.

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_8_s.jpg
Do you think that jacket will be warm enough for Everest?

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_9_s.jpg
And that has to be one of my favourite shots of the season

Phil

That last shot is so perfect in so many ways.

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_7_s.jpg
"We had been hoping to ski down that face while it looked like that, shame. "

I'd ski that face anytime ;)

neat!
i can't wait to see ski pix from everest!!!!!

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_9_s.jpg

I'm seeing a shot hunkered down with an 18mm lens by the small knoll at 5 o'clock from the right hand set of ski poles with the whole of the valley in shot, the sunset and a skier having hucked off a small kicker atop the rock face performing a perfect tail grab cross.

But yours will defnitely do at a pinch. ;)

I think you are ready for AK. Being that the tent is buried and all.

Perhaps a bigger tent for those long days stuck in bad weather, or a snowcave.

Have fun.

Sweet pics, by the way

Sweet location & smoking hottie companion stoke!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by FreakofSnow
I'd ski that face anytime ;)

---

No doubt. I think we need a higher res version of that pic!

hope you broke that tent in...

Superstokealicious! (that's dork language for nice pics)

http://www.philingle.com/images/20040412_6_s.jpg

This photo, is my fav, really cool how the clouds are breaking up. The terrain is amazing.

Great photo series, keep them coming.

great pics.

Got any pics from inside the tent?

That place looks incredible! Thanks for sharing the pics, and keep 'em coming from AK and Everest . . . so very cool :-)

Thanks for the pictures. Every time you post, I miss France. I'll be there mid-June, considering a small detour (from Aix-en-Provence)to go to Cham. Will you guys he around then /willing to show me around?

drC

inspirational

and a bump

Very cool pics, went to Alaska two years ago and had a great time, especially once it was over.;) Makes me miss it though.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by The AD
No doubt. I think we need a higher res version of that pic!

---

Higher res versions here
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_1_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_2_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_3_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_4_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_5_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_6_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_7_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_8_b.jpg
www.philingle.com/images/20040412_9_b.jpg