Back on the snow again - TR

**flingle** · 09-22-2004, 04:12 AM

So after a whole three months of not skiing the bug bites again and I managed to drag Karl up the Tacul for a hit of the white powder. The summer has been notably different to last years draught with afternoon storms most days. This has helped build up a good layer of snow on all the higher faces that were blue and grey at this time last year.
Precipitated by the reopening of the Midi cable car I dragged out my skiing gear from the back of a dusty cupboard and headed in the Mt Blanc du Tacul direction.
The summer has been a poor one for climbing due to the storms so I was out of practice on the early starts, but managed to just pull one off by not drinking the night before.

Here is Karl below the first crevasse barrier on the way up, you could just scramble up the flight of steps the guides had made without the need to resort to an axe.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_1_s.JPG

The track up was well worn from Tacul and Mt Blanc walkers so it was easier to plod up on foot rather than donning the skins. The passage out of the shade and into the sun was a welcome one.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_3_s.JPG

Karl looks down at the (not very) Vallee Blanche. I tried the 'bit further, bit further' photographers thing but he wasnt going any closer to the edge than this.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_4_s.JPG

Looking over at Mt Blanc the conditions on the Brenva Spur and on the Diagonal Route on the Maudit looked excellent, a near term goal I think.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_5_s.JPG

And I have not seen the top of the Blanche de Peuterey looking so well covered since arriving in Cham four years ago. This needs a bit more snow lower down though to pack out the crevassed area below the big serac.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_6_s.JPG

On the shoulder of the Tacul the wind had effected the snow a bit and there was some crust to skitter about on.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_7_s.JPG

Lower down however there were stashes of powder hidden here and there out of the wind.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_8_s.JPG

A small hop over this crevasse and there was only the staircase left to negotiate before the climb back up to the Aiguille to get the lift back home.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_10_s.JPG

It was good to get back out on the ski's again after such a long time without. I am looking forward to heading back up there to hit some more slopes, anyone up for a ski let me know.

Laters

Phil

**ulty_guy** · 09-22-2004, 04:27 AM

sweet

**bad_roo** · 09-22-2004, 04:30 AM

Good to see you back, Phil. Was wondering what you were up to. That shot of Karl standing on the serac is a killer!

**Aldo** · 09-22-2004, 08:08 AM

Nice!

As much as things change; formats.
Some things remain the same; Phil serving up the killer trip reports.

**basom** · 09-22-2004, 08:12 AM

like a breath of fresh air from the alps.
looking forward to many more this season.

**Karl Stall** · 09-22-2004, 08:50 AM

Welcome back, Phil. Done in great style, as always!

**Ripzalot** · 09-22-2004, 12:45 PM

nice way to start the season!

be careful out there. did anyone see the humongus avalanche in the news that occurred in valtellina italy? 15 million tons of îce and rock came down. fortunately no one killed. scare-ee!

**bagtagley** · 09-22-2004, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by flingle

And I have not seen the top of the Blanche de Peuterey looking so well covered since arriving in Cham four years ago. This needs a bit more snow lower down though to pack out the crevassed area below the big serac.
http://www.philingle.com/images/20040906_6_s.JPG

A bit more snow for what?

Thanks for the new wallpaper

**CaddyDaddy77** · 09-22-2004, 01:13 PM

Amazing shots as usual Phil, as Roo said the one with Karl stnading onthe Cerac is amazing.

Wish my first day back would look like that....

**splat** · 09-22-2004, 01:50 PM

Yo, Phil. Looking good.

So what happened in AK?

**Trackhead** · 09-22-2004, 04:08 PM

Now that I've lifted my jaw off the floor.........nice shit their Phil. Incredible photos.

As Splat said, what went on up in AK?

**natty dread** · 09-23-2004, 11:55 AM

Good to hear from you Phil, nice shots.
I may have to pay you a visit this winter.

**flingle** · 09-24-2004, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by splat

Yo, Phil. Looking good.
So what happened in AK?

AK was amazing, I am just being really retarded about getting the slides scanned and posting them on the web.

I have put my unabridged diary up hereAlaska 2004 and am intending writing it up properly when I sort out the pictures. It was a very very good trip.

Laters

Phil

**Karl Stall** · 09-24-2004, 10:27 AM

Phil - your writing rivals your pictures - great read. As an Alaskaphile, I am engrossed in your accounts. Well done, again

**HyRUPz** · 09-24-2004, 03:45 PM

In awe. Sweet pix and thank you, had me tremblin' . . .

**freshies** · 09-24-2004, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

A bit more snow for what?

Thanks for the new wallpaper

yikes...is that "line" doable?

**FLEX** · 09-25-2004, 03:01 AM

Awesome pic's.........now, I'm just waiting for the Blanche de Peuterey TR

**Sierra Cement** · 09-25-2004, 10:32 AM

Have people skied that Blanche de Peuterey line??? That is the steepest most exposed line I've ever seen that actually has a potentially skiable line.

**flingle** · 09-25-2004, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Sierra Cement

Have people skied that Blanche de Peuterey line??? That is the steepest most exposed line I've ever seen that actually has a potentially skiable line.

By the four lines shown on this picture. Off the top of my head I think that it was Anselme Baud and Patrick Vallençant who skied it first by the right hand line in May of the great year of ski extreme, 1977. I think that Stefano de Benedetti then skied the hidden couloir on the left in September in 1980. The middle line used to be complete where there is now a drop off the serac onto the ridge below. I am sure it was Stefano de Benedetti who skied the line on the far left that is all rock at the minute as well.

Laters

Phil