 Poster: A snowHead
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Doh!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Arno, No probs... I couldn't see it as my version of Reader is giving me grief... but thanks to all...I'll sort it in the morning
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brian
brian
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JT, no problem for me to pick you up if you don't mind hanging around.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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brian,
Thanks Brian.. if I need a lfit, I'll text you tomorrow
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It is snowing big flakes and -17 at the top....... as of 18:00 local time, says a mystery source..
I am not saying it is bumper, but a refresher would be nice...
BC is collecting me so I'll wait up or let you guys know the door code...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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BTW guys be careful, was warm and windy in Engelberg, saw plenty of wet snow/mud slides in Engelberg yesterday. New snow on top of that might not be that stable!!
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kitenski, 
Safe journey, see you soon everyone
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brian
brian
Guest
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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assuming La Grave got similiar wind to Engelberg over the past weekend, ie 100kmh it'll have done more than drift Brian, should remind you of home 
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brian
brian
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brian
brian
Guest
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So, the slightly longer version ....
My Ford Ka/Fiat Panda size turns out to be a smart car ! It's like driving a dodgem, semi-auto gearbox is like playing on a ps3  Seriously hard to keep in a straight line when the vent is blowing a tad fort ! Still, we get into La Grave about 1am, it's clear and cold and obvious that not much fresh snow has fallen 
The morning dawns bluebird but cold, a quick trip out to hire the planks and into the Autocar du BernardC, heading for Auris and hence l'Alpe d'Huez. Frustration #1, a lost txcvr means a quick run back to the car but no sign so we press on via several lifts only to run into frustration #2, the télépherique Pic Blanc runs out of gas, we're stuck in it for half an hour, then it trundles back to base and we make alternative tracks via 2 stages of Marmottes télécabine and a chair.
Finally, after 12, we're into the Grand Sablat. It looks inviting, but windblown crust gives way to sun crust and a bit of scoured crust. Almost every turn is different but we're all adapting and everyone gets down with not much trouble and a bit of "interesting" fun. The views are sensational and eventually we get down low enough for the sun to transform things to good old spring corn. A hike up to the Col de Sarenne and it's lunchtime. The day is fast disappearing but we squeeze in a trip to the Combe Charbonniere and the snow is a bit easier. It gets a little thin in the big bumps further down and Phil has an interesting pop out'n'in on his shoulder. Ouch.
Back to Auris, and the lost txcvr turns up, hurrah ! Bernard treats us to further luxury transport back to LG and a well earned beer.
Demain, les grandes bosses de La Grave  et peut-etre St Christophe.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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brian, see my PM
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brian
brian
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snowball, no go for me. Will ask around.
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brian
brian
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Friday started badly, very badly. Cloudy and cold and too windy for the La Grave lift. Manu told us there was nothing doing off piste until the sun could get out to soften things up so he took the day off and we headed over to Serre Chevalier on the offchance of at least maybe finding some decent pistes. We did that and even wrung a little bit more out of the day. A north facing couloir off the Tete de Balme (?), a bit mogulled and thin at the pinch point but generally in decent nick. So good we skied it 3 times. The rest of the good spots known to the group were too thin or had unskiable snow or were scoured or ... you get the picture.
Today, the sun was back out and La Grave re-opened. So a more hopeful start. We skied a couple of descents of the glacier and through the Breche de Pacave back to P2 and then, after a leisurely lunch, headed off into the Vallon de la Selle to St Christophe. The sun had softened things up nicely and after a sketchy start on thin old rubbish, it opened out into a lovely descent in great spring snow, finishing with a little couloir. Then a not too pleasant traverse and a hike out but it couldn't take the shine off such a brilliant run.
Taxi back to LG and a couple of beers. Ski de randonée tomorrow, fingers crossed for some early sun for another soft descent.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Thanks to everyone for an enjoyable trip even if sub-prime isn't just a description of the US mortgage market.
Some takeaways - Don't break the cable car, don't leave your tranny on the spoiler of an adjacent car 1st thing in the morning & Serre Che is an area with great potential if the snow is there.
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brian
brian
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To finish off the TR-ish bit, the last day saw us all on touring kit (3 total beginners, 3 old hands). We headed up to the tiny station of Le Chazelet above La Grave on the opposite side of the Romanche from La Meije. After handing over the princely sum of €3, we got a ride up the teleski to start the tour at about 2100m, then followed the long ridge up to the summit of Le Gros Tet at 2613m. The descent was via its east face, mixed powder/crust at the top and then a firm to gradually softening hardpack lower down.
Nice way to end the trip for me, as after lunch I headed off for the airport, just in time to catch the first drops of rain which would start giving the area some much needed new snow. Bah ! Hopefully, Graham, John, Bernard and Steve are still making the most of it.
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brian
brian
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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oh well, better than a week in the office!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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brian, glad you had a good time. I'll look forward to hearing from the others how the rest of the trip went. ps: how did you fit in a smart car??? 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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easiski, I saw the Smart Car in La Grave last Saturday morning when we were on our way to Wengen. We commented on how a skier could hire a car like that and derive up there. Little did I know a SnowHead had it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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made it over to LG for one day last week. wasn't the greatest really but they'll have had a decent amount of snow since then.
full TR of my Oisans trip to come once I have sorted the photos
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Chaps, just wanted to say thanks for a another great LG trip, despite the conditions the company was great as ever....even enjoyed the Randonee.
Been suffering ever since with bashed ribs - didn't notice them at the time due to shoulder outey-inney moment. Worth it though.
Will try to select and post some decent photos from my time loitering at the back!
See you next time..
Phil
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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PJB,
Yol Philbob..welcome..!!!
I have more stills I can e-mail if you want to PM me.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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GrahamN, lucky git
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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easiski,
He went back out this thursday so should be at the Edelwiess if I am not mistaken.
GrahamN, Enjoy, beats working..
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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BernardC, and that was just the warmup for the following day...
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FAQ
. Finished off with Banane then Couloir de Freaux - what a fantastic end to a day 