Wednesday, 16 April 2008

More Spring Skiing

Back in NZ now and along with a few other super motivated folks, we're starting to put together this coming winters SkiMoNZ race series. I wanted to do a small post on my last ski before returning from France.
I meet up with Pierre, Eric and Manu around 0730, hoping to beat the heat. We started on the southern end of the Belledonnee and climber to the col du loup and then went up to the summit "l'antecime de la Grande Lance de domene". Eric near the top of l'antecime de la Grande Lance de domene
Then we climbed to la grande Lauziere
Manu harvesting some very nice Belledonne corn
l'antecime de la Grande Lance de domene and la grande Lauziere. Photo taken from summit Le Grand Colon.
Manu skis some steeps off the SE side of Le Grand Colon
All up about a 2300m vert day. Big thanks to Eric, Pierre and Manu for a great day skiing and to all those in France that made for a very memorable winter.

Monday, 7 April 2008

Spring Skiing

In my earlier post post I asked for people to write in with their favorite thing about ski mountaineering races. I got the ball rolling with the cow bells and how much I enjoy them during a race.
The other thing that I really enjoy about racing is how fit you are come spring time, which is perfect for cranking out big days of corn skiing in the sun! Before leaving for NZ tomorrow morning I managed 2 such trips.
On Friday I meet up with my racing partner Thomas and his mate, also Thomas. I couldn't remember all the name's of were we went or what we skied so Thomas sent me this
"We started at Prabert (1250M), climbed "couloir W du Pas du Pin" (2203m), skied "couloir E du Pas du Pin" (Start 45°, then 40° on 200m), crossed south-north the "Pic de la Belle Etoile" (2718m), climb pass of the "Vouterey" (2529m) and "Dent du Pra" (2623m) and come back by the "Combe du Venetier". "
All up about a 1900m morning. We were back for lunch and Thomas worked in the afternoon.
I remember my camera for once, but forgot to charge the batteries. Luckily a another group was behind us and snapped some shotsCouloir W du Pas du Pin
Couloir E du Pas du Pin with Thomas and my tracks
2718m peak Pic de la Belle Etoile and pass of the Vouterey (2529m) to the left.

Hopefully in the next day or so I will get a chance to post the 2300m trip I did the next day with some other French friends.