 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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yes, I saw that at the time and was duly impressed. I know people ski mad things, but I just didn't see how they could ski down the bit people walk down - is it a different route? Or do they ski it before there are any ropes?
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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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Visibility was pretty limited when I did it, so never got the scary sense of a 3000m drop. I found the bit to the side of the seracs more challenging.
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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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pam w, From >Phil Ingle's website<
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| To ski it in good style you have to start from the tunnel and take the roped arête on its left hand side, this does cause quite a stir as all the tourists on the Midi cant quite believe what they are seeing and they swarm across to have a look |
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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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geoffers, yes, that would be quite a sight.... the day I was up there with my video camera nobody obliged!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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GrahamN, now that's a ski-day!!!
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| hobbesmonster wrote: |
| This sport and the mountains provide one of the last great freedoms out there and while we should encourage warnings to be posted and education to be improved, we should all resist any restrictions or every lift could become a Valluga 2 (and boy, does that one make me angry!) |
I completely agree with you! Chamonix is different to all other skiing resorts in the world because of the number of extremely good skiers and alpinists that live here. Many of us are perfectly happy to ski the ridge (when the conditions are good enough, or when the ropes are taken down for the season) or sliding it down without crampons just holding on to the ropes - believe me, this is by far NOT the most extreme things done daily in Chamonix.
There is a point in not equipping the ridge with ropes too early in the season when the glacier is still very open, because it holds a lot of skiers back from going there. Only someone experienced enough, and perfectly sure about his capabilities, would get the idea to ski the ridge. Normally there is no risk of having non-experts following such tracks.
When the ropes are up, the access to Vallee Blanche is easier and for sure more obvious. The skiing is slightly less dangerous when the crevasses are well filled in, but the runs still demand perfect control over your skies in all sorts of snow, and even then the Vallee Blanche is potentially hazardous (even if skiing with a guide)! Everyone must evaluate his own capabilities, the information and the warnings are up there, it is up to everyone to read them!
In my opinion we must resist the culture of non-accepting risks and not taking responsibility for our own actions and decisions (a culture most wide spread in the US, but more and more in Europe too, which the French have done well in rejecting). If people have the attitude that someone else will always tell them what to do and where to go, we will bring up a new generation of individuals incapable of thinking for them selves, not taking the responsibility to inform them selves about risks, and thus precludes their own and others freedom.
A General rule: In Chamonix we do not "follow tracks"! There are speed skiers, ski base jumpers, and simply amazingly good skiers out there =).
/Eva
More info on Skiing Vallee Blanche with a guide
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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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| stanton wrote: |
| plectrum wrote: |
| Preventing untrianed amatuer's on this route without a guide is very difficult becuase of Chamonix's history as an AT resort. It would be potentially harsh and unfair to bring in a rule such as that in St Anton on the Valluga descent i.e. only allowed on the route with a certified guide. |
Thats not actually true. If you want to travel in the lift (Valluga2) with your skis you will only be able to with a certified guide.
However, you can hike up and ski without a problem, that's why you see so many folk doing just that  |
There is another way to get to the top of the Valluga with your skis.
Not know the rule, get in the lift with a group who has a guide.
I know it works, I accidently did it out of ignorance.
When the guide and his party began their descent and I was left at the top with my skis, I caused quite a commotion.
It took quite a bit to convince them that I had no intention to ski down, I just wanted to admire the view and take the photos.
I did ski to Zurs a few years later but with guided party and without my bulky camera.
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| stanton wrote: |
| plectrum wrote: |
| Preventing untrianed amatuer's on this route without a guide is very difficult becuase of Chamonix's history as an AT resort. It would be potentially harsh and unfair to bring in a rule such as that in St Anton on the Valluga descent i.e. only allowed on the route with a certified guide. |
Thats not actually true. If you want to travel in the lift (Valluga2) with your skis you will only be able to with a certified guide.
However, you can hike up and ski without a problem, that's why you see so many folk doing just that |
There is another way to get to the top of the Valluga with your skis.
Not know the rule, get in the lift with a group who has a guide.
I know it works, I accidently did it out of ignorance.
When the guide and his party began their descent and I was left at the top with my skis, I caused quite a commotion.
It took quite a bit to convince them that I had no intention to ski down, I just wanted to admire the view and take the photos.
I did ski to Zurs a few years later but with guided party and without my bulky camera.
I skied the Vallee Blanche with a guide many years later.
It cost me a set of ski pants, I couldn't get the brown stain out after walking down the arete. (Only kidding, but it sure was scary)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| stanton wrote: |
| plectrum wrote: |
| Preventing untrianed amatuer's on this route without a guide is very difficult becuase of Chamonix's history as an AT resort. It would be potentially harsh and unfair to bring in a rule such as that in St Anton on the Valluga descent i.e. only allowed on the route with a certified guide. |
Thats not actually true. If you want to travel in the lift (Valluga2) with your skis you will only be able to with a certified guide.
However, you can hike up and ski without a problem, that's why you see so many folk doing just that |
There is another way to get to the top of the Valluga with your skis.
Not know the rule, get in the lift with a group who has a guide.
I know it works, I accidently did it out of ignorance.
When the guide and his party began their descent and I was left at the top with my skis, I caused quite a commotion.
It took quite a bit to convince them that I had no intention to ski down, I just wanted to admire the view and take the photos.
I did ski to Zurs a few years later but with guided party and without my bulky camera.
I skied the Vallee Blanche with a guide many years later.
It cost me a set of ski pants, I couldn't get the brown stain out after walking down the arete. (Only kidding, but it sure was scary)
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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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| stanton wrote: |
| plectrum wrote: |
| Preventing untrianed amatuer's on this route without a guide is very difficult becuase of Chamonix's history as an AT resort. It would be potentially harsh and unfair to bring in a rule such as that in St Anton on the Valluga descent i.e. only allowed on the route with a certified guide. |
Thats not actually true. If you want to travel in the lift (Valluga2) with your skis you will only be able to with a certified guide.
However, you can hike up and ski without a problem, that's why you see so many folk doing just that |
There is another way to get to the top of the Valluga with your skis.
Not know the rule, get in the lift with a group who has a guide.
I know it works, I accidently did it out of ignorance.
When the guide and his party began their descent and I was left at the top with my skis, I caused quite a commotion.
It took quite a bit to convince them that I had no intention to ski down, I just wanted to admire the view and take the photos.
I did ski to Zurs a few years later but with a guided party and without my bulky camera.
I skied the Vallee Blanche with a guide many years later.
It cost me a set of ski pants, I couldn't get the brown stain out after walking down the arete. (Only kidding, but it sure was scary)
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heard you first time! 
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FAQ
- and some of the youtube vids in the thread. 
