 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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Back on it
School was back on this morning and Clare was out the door to teach a lesson at 0900 so it was all systems go this morning! As usual the sun was shining and it was set to be a lovely day. The kids were on form and it was off.
I was supposed to be meeting up with the building manager here to talk about our plans for the changes we want to make so I tried to go and find him but couldnt. I then waited in for what seemed like all morning (well it was really but I wasnt planning on going anywhere in particular!) but to no avail - will try again tomorrow! It was OK as there was some ski racing and other things to catch up on but there was also lots of admin to get done.
I was mentally also getting myself ready to get out there teaching as there hasn't been a huge amount recently of course and needed to be on my A game as it was the first session with my seasonnaires group. So I headed up slightly early as it was so lovey and waited. In typical fashion half of them were on time and the rest were about 15 mins late but hey ho!
After getting everyone on the same page of the book in terms of what we would be covering and making sure everyone was happy we set off. We spent the majority of the session working on general piste technique and it was one of those sessions of setting the scene for all the onward learning they would do and basically trying to get them to understand what good skiing is and I introduced the concept of foundations and how good foundations lead to other things being able to be added on e.g. skills for off piste / moguls etc. The concept that there are no short cuts in skiing and understanding that straight lining everywhere and putting z shape or ? shape turns in is not ideal is tricky to get across! Harder still is making them realise that dissecting and breaking the skiing down will (initially anyway) make the skiing feel worse long before it starts to come back together and even harder still is stopping them reverting to old habits and bombing down anything as far and as straight as possible when on their own is the hardest part!
Anyway we had a really good session and finished off with some light hearted 'trick of the day' that I always try to throw in for seasonnaires at the end of their sessions. So today was backwards skiing and flat land 360 spins! They really loved it.
I had to dash back down to town as quickly as possible as needed to not only go and check the post boxes in town but also get back down to La Daille as soon as possible to get Olivia off the school bus. Ben was collected by Clare and taken to his swimming lesson but not before it emerged via a message from his teacher that there was an outbreak of COVID in his class and that everyone needed to get their kids tested and before they come back to school next week will need a -ve certificate to the effect... he is only 4.5 so Clare needed to do a test straight away before a 2nd test on Sunday so together the results can be shown to the school so they will have him back (and there was us thinking now the border was open things were going to get easier again!). Anyway his test was -ve thankfully but he did not like being tested that is for sure!
This evening I have sorted out some bits and pieces and answered some more lesson enquiries and thought about what is needed in the morning as Olivia is with Club and Ben is going for a ski.... maybe with Clare but maybe with me we aren't sure!
So thats about all to report from today.
TTFN
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I had never appreciated the view of Solaise from the Loyes chair until looking at these photos, but still wouldn’t want to be stuck for any length of time.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
One of my favourite views used to be downloading on the old Solaise Express chair - that was amazing!
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+1 I used to love that view too. The Solaise Express was my first chairlift ever ridden and so always had a fondness for it. I also remember the peacefulness as it left Village and started to go up over Combe Martin. It left all the chaos of the town behind and suddenly everything would go quiet.
The other great view I think, is from the Leissieres chair coming back over from the Le Fornet sector. It opens up to a wide view of the Solaise. Lovely on a sunny day with warm sunshine on your face after being in the colder shade of Le Fornet. Bliss.
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sno trax - yes that peacefulness as you left the Village area behind was magical wasnt it. Too right the best views coming back towards the Solaise side - stunning.
Lets start a little 'hidden gem' place / spot / lift / view for the whole EK area - a place you just can't get enough of for whatever reason? Lets keep it on the mountain as opposed to a bar / restaurant otherwise it'll go way off topic.
Ill start.... and just 'cause I can' ill put 2 down.
First one in Val and that is the view looking 'over the top' from the top of the Cugnai chair. It just a quiet corner of the resort that I dont get too often enough and I just love the non commercialised and calm aspect of the resort there and of course the view.... invariably about to drop off the back for the Cugnai descent which I just love.
Second one is head up the Motte cable car.... when the lift stops and everyone trudges off to put their skis on, I like to wait until the very end and then walk out onto the now deserted metal walkway but walk to the 'lookout' end and stare back down the valley... stunning views of most of the EK from there.
Your turn!
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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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@Steve Angus, do the new self serve machine actually work? Not sure the one's outside the ticket office on the snow square have worked in the ~5 years they've been there.
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| Dr John wrote: |
| @Steve Angus, do the new self serve machine actually work? Not sure the one's outside the ticket office on the snow square have worked in the ~5 years they've been there. |
No idea - never needed to try and use them ever. You could be right? What a load of rubbish if they have been there that long and dont work! Doh!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Steve Angus wrote: |
sno trax
Lets start a little 'hidden gem' place / spot / lift / view for the whole EK area - a place you just can't get enough of for whatever reason? Lets keep it on the mountain as opposed to a bar / restaurant otherwise it'll go way off topic.
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On the Madeline piste, just below the top of the Manchet express. Looking down towards the Dam, you get the Plage bar, then the La-Daille gorge and finally the lake and the Dam. But the village is hidden. For some reason that just makes the whole area feel simultaneously really big, but also small in that you can basically see all the way to Brev.
I also always love places where you can't see any man made infrastructure. Obviously there are plenty of them if you're on a big off-piste route, but there are, I think, relatively few pistes in the EK where you can't see any lifts for the majority of their length. But it's the main reason to ski Genepy or Cairn, down from the Glacier, rather than double M in my opinion.
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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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flaming - yes that is a good view on Madelaine you are correct! Love showing new skiers that view and allowing them to feel the beauty and expanse of the area but most importantly the feel good factor they also get for knowing how much they have progressed to be able to be taken up to ski the madeline which is an achievement in itself!
Again that is a good point about not seeing any infrastructure from a piste..... hmmm there are a few places like you say but not many - got me thinking there. A few runs. You get that serenity on a few pistes about the place - e.g. the VERY VERY lowest part of the path down to Brev when it is as flat as a pancake perhaps!
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What's the off piste like? Is it skiable when the sun hits it? I know there's no fresh snow and none on the horizon - I have three days touring with a guide booked next week....
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You know it makes sense.
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| Dr John wrote: |
| @Steve Angus, do the new self serve machine actually work? Not sure the one's outside the ticket office on the snow square have worked in the ~5 years they've been there. |
I can confirm they work when I was there last month.
@Steve. How all is well? With the reopening to British visitors hopefully this season will be good?
I am already thinking about when to go back to Val.
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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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| conor90 wrote: |
| What's the off piste like? Is it skiable when the sun hits it? I know there's no fresh snow and none on the horizon - I have three days touring with a guide booked next week.... |
The off piste is pretty tracked out (despite the low numbers of people the last few weeks). The melt freeze has stabilised things nicely! Most of us have been mixing and matching winter snow with Spring but the sun / temps haven't really been warm enough to get proper spring! Therefore the only real option is to go walkies and that way there is some cold old winter pow to be had e.g. a tour out to the Sanna and north face back or skin around the back from Col Pers that sort of thing. But I think people are still getting stuff.... if you are not walking then generally now we are looking for chalk. Hope that helps!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| alvinsu wrote: |
| Dr John wrote: |
| @Steve Angus, do the new self serve machine actually work? Not sure the one's outside the ticket office on the snow square have worked in the ~5 years they've been there. |
I can confirm they work when I was there last month.
@Steve. How all is well? With the reopening to British visitors hopefully this season will be good?
I am already thinking about when to go back to Val. |
Thanks for clarifying.
Yes now we are back in business we are excited to get back working again... things are filling up.... FAST... little by little the remaining slots are starting to fill up...... certainly for the next few weeks. After the school hols and into March it is quiet still but guess everyone is thinking more last minute this year than 'normal'
Yay come back to Val soon - you know you want to!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Steve Angus,
| Quote: |
Lets start a little 'hidden gem' place / spot / lift / view for the whole EK area - a place you just can't get enough of for whatever reason? Lets keep it on the mountain as opposed to a bar / restaurant otherwise it'll go way off topic.
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Over the far side of Tignes, the runs off the top of the Col de Ves chairlift often feel very remote and peaceful. I don’t know how often that slow old lift operates these days though.
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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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| PeakyB wrote: |
@Steve Angus,
| Quote: |
Lets start a little 'hidden gem' place / spot / lift / view for the whole EK area - a place you just can't get enough of for whatever reason? Lets keep it on the mountain as opposed to a bar / restaurant otherwise it'll go way off topic.
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Over the far side of Tignes, the runs off the top of the Col de Ves chairlift often feel very remote and peaceful. I don’t know how often that slow old lift operates these days though. |
Yes that is another good one.... does feel very remote yes. I haven't been up that lift for years and years! Only really operates in peak season these days.
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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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@PeakyB, agree entirely ,always get lovely snow there and some bumps . It’s a squeeze on that chair though .
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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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@PeakyB, agree entirely ,always get lovely snow there and some bumps . It’s a squeeze on that chair though .
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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With the demolition of the Marais chair, the top half of Sache is probably the longest run where you can see no infrastructure. But still looking forward to its replacement!
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| Quote: |
Yes that is another good one.... does feel very remote yes. I haven't been up that lift for years and years! Only really operates in peak season these days.
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Col des Ves chair not been started up yet and nothing in that bowl has been pisted, however folks are accessing the resort-side off-piste under it by traversing across from Palet drag. The other side of Col des Ves was rather nice a few days ago if you don't mind about 250m vertical to get there and perhaps another 150m vertical to get home over Palet.
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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| PeakyB wrote: |
@Steve Angus,
| Quote: |
Lets start a little 'hidden gem' place / spot / lift / view for the whole EK area - a place you just can't get enough of for whatever reason? Lets keep it on the mountain as opposed to a bar / restaurant otherwise it'll go way off topic.
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Over the far side of Tignes, the runs off the top of the Col de Ves chairlift often feel very remote and peaceful. I don’t know how often that slow old lift operates these days though. |
Yes that is another good one.... does feel very remote yes. I haven't been up that lift for years and years! Only really operates in peak season these days. |
I went up there on the recommendation of a random TDC instructor I was talking to on a lift. The chair was slow and old, but the view was worth it.
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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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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| conor90 wrote: |
| What's the off piste like? Is it skiable when the sun hits it? I know there's no fresh snow and none on the horizon - I have three days touring with a guide booked next week.... |
The off piste is pretty tracked out (despite the low numbers of people the last few weeks). The melt freeze has stabilised things nicely! Most of us have been mixing and matching winter snow with Spring but the sun / temps haven't really been warm enough to get proper spring! Therefore the only real option is to go walkies and that way there is some cold old winter pow to be had e.g. a tour out to the Sanna and north face back or skin around the back from Col Pers that sort of thing. But I think people are still getting stuff.... if you are not walking then generally now we are looking for chalk. Hope that helps! |
That helps, thank you.
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A few favourite places that spring to mind.
A short walk round from the top of the Vallon gondola towards the top of Col de l'Iseran there are some nice quiet spots with great views.
Also for me, nothing beats taking the dog for a walk up on the Solaise around the lac de l'ouillette or taking her for a walk down in the Manchet.
You just can't beat the mountains on a sunny day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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For something that's unusual, it would be taking someone on the "up and over" lift for the first time (Leissiers Express).
Favourite places to be are the far sides of the map - anywhere on the Val glacier, and to the right of Aguille Pierce. Just because they are so much quieter than the runs in the middle of the resort. The blue off Grand Motte isn't bad from that point of view either. It'll be good when the new Marais is open and you don't have to put up with the slow cold lift. Assuming the better lift doesn't make the area too busy!
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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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vipul - its a squeeze like most old lifts.... we get used to the spacious comfort of modern lifts and also the gently slowing down aspect of them too. But beautiful up there yes.
chocksaway - I have lost track of all the developments over that area - obviously its been a multi year project the whole area so what is the latest 'grand plan' for there.... take the Aiguille Rouge chair out too and just put a two stage gondola in or something top to bottom of that sector! But yes the Sache you can get away from it all and if that wasnt a reminder enough there is the pisteurs telephone point half way down too - thats quite unique too!
bobski62 - yes a little local secret - lots of guides and instructors are heading that way to the various options you get up there and off the back at the moment because the snow is good.... quite an effort though!
sugarmoma666 - phew - thank goodness it wasnt duff info!!!! haha
conor90 - no worries - enjoy!
sno trax - yea good knowledge - around the back - hardly ever do that as you can imagine! Brill. The l'ouillette yes that is different too.... its super nice in the Summer too!
thelem - yes for the first time its certainly unique! For sure the extremities of the resorts are the best where its quieter! Thats for sure. Thats one of the issues with modernising sectors is people flood there. Well versed mountain users can see the link between express lifts, shorter rest times, busier pistes and more injuries etc etc etc!
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The gorge at the entrance to Vallee Perdue
Vallon de la Sachette
Gorges de Malpasset
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You know it makes sense.
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Still stunning
For some reason Olivia was in a foul mood before school this morning so it meant getting ready for school
Ben also didnt really want to eat much last night so ate a huge breakfast this morning but was a little hyper too about it.... so it made for an interesting start to the day!
By hook or by crook I got them on the school bus and then Clare headed off to work so suddenly it went very quiet!
I got a message from my old tenant that I needed to sort out pretty much as soon as I got back in the front door.... luckily my new tenant is running the La Daille gondola still so could easily pop over and chat to him (he was running the bottom). So by about 1030 had sorted that issue out but then had to dash straight into a meeting with the building manager here. The ongoing saga about our building works we would like to have done. Needed to run past some of the practicalities of what we are proposing to see if can work from the building infrastructure point of view! Fingers crossed!
So I have another important meeting in town this evening as our other new tenant (its complicated isnt it) is arriving from the UK tonight so that could mean for a busy evening!
Still no snow forecast today but hopefully by this time next week it will have changed as we could do with a freshen up now thats for sure!
In local news the annual health day is happening today with testing and consultations abounding! There is also the Avaline Trax ski race from La Daille to the folie this evening for this competitive ski tourers! Clare is working tomorrow morning so I have the kids in the am and then we swap over for the afternoon as I have the first session with my other seasonnaires group in the pm. So it will be all go, go, go!
TTFN
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
The gorge at the entrance to Vallee Perdue
Vallon de la Sachette
Gorges de Malpasset |
Certainly agree on the Gorges de Malpasset on that front - in fact I love the whole Col Pers descent actually. I personally find the Vallee Perdue a faff so never (well rarely) go down that way! - It is fun though.
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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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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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The sudden face-full of lift station that you get at the top of Borsat is quite fun, especially when chairs ahead of you have people on who have clearly never been up there before 
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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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| moosepig wrote: |
| The sudden face-full of lift station that you get at the top of Borsat is quite fun, especially when chairs ahead of you have people on who have clearly never been up there before |
Yes you do have to warn people the first time you go up there as it arrives very quickly! Bit like top of Laisennent Express.
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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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The old Marmots chair was a good one for taking your legs out from behind if you weren't savvy enough.
Trifollet red can be a nice quiet place too and a lovely cruise down to LA Daille on the rare occasions it has been groomed. At all other times it's a good workout for the knees and legs 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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.... rare occasions - you can say that again - but now they have put the piste basher track in at least there is a path down it now!
The OLD marmots - now that is going back - 10 years or so. Can remember lots of 'old' lifts now it comes to it.... for example the old Bellevarde Cable car before the Olympic - 20+ years ago!
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I remember the old Solaise Cable Car, hotels at both ends now. Remember the Solaise Express going in.
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Used to enjoy the tommeuses race, picking which one might be faster!!
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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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| endoman wrote: |
| I remember the old Solaise Cable Car, hotels at both ends now. Remember the Solaise Express going in. |
Yup, I remember it....and the top station of the old Bellevarde Cable Car, which was well above where it is now. There was no alternative but deal with the steep section down to the level of the current top station.....often ending up in carnage. It also meant you couldn't download.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| endoman wrote: |
| I remember the old Solaise Cable Car, hotels at both ends now. Remember the Solaise Express going in. |
Yup, I remember it....and the top station of the old Bellevarde Cable Car, which was well above where it is now. There was no alternative but deal with the steep section down to the level of the current top station.....often ending up in carnage. It also meant you couldn't download. |
LOL, I was there with a small group, 2 of us skiing, 2 boarding. One boarder never been on snow before and his mate tooth him up there. It took them some time to get down to what became the Folie! Forgot how steep that top bit was.
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FAQ
