 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.
But they are problem at any time of the year, potentially. If you are on a "live" glacier you need the right gear and expertise to be safe. A guide will be able to help you.
If I were to tour the Allalinhorn (which I wouldn't as there are better things to do in November) I possibly wouldn't rope up for the climb as the most heavily crevassed area can be avoided but I would wear a harness and short rescue loop but it is a risk, I would certainly carry all the gear in case. Ice would also be a danger, especially early season.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 20-10-21 9:30; edited 1 time in total
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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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I've not toured there but I was up there is summer 2019. I'd say it is reasonably high risk from a crevasse POV. Strahlhorn might be a better option on that front. Access a little longer though
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@BobinCH, been up in summer a few times (one time a really nice traverse from the Alphubel, though doubt there is enough snow these days). Assuming you mean to go from the funicular station (as opposed from the Britannia hut) it is no more than an easy plod. In summer there are constant long lines of roped tourists being dragged up by the local guides. Consequently there is a well beaten track with the odd obvious crevasse, I felt safe enough to do it on my own. The track did seem to be somewhat menaced by snow masses from under the summit and there was various old avalanche debris in places. The view from the Feejoch was one of the best I have seen.
No idea what the state of the glacier is now and especially at this time of year, there are bashed pistes on the Fee glacier but they dont really cover any of the route up to the summit. Not sure I would risk it without more local knowledge.
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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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Thanks for the beta. Looking for a high altitude aerobic workout to bed in new touring gear pre a late November touring trip. Not enough snow here yet. Any other better route recommendations?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The Breithorn would be a better bet for you.
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Tempting, only done it in August
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| BobinCH wrote: |
| Thanks for the beta. Looking for a high altitude aerobic workout to bed in new touring gear pre a late November touring trip. Not enough snow here yet. Any other better route recommendations? |
As davidof says - the breithorn is a good bet, though its quite (very) short vert gain from kleine matterhorn (guess you could always start lower if feeling masochistic...) - last time I was working Zmatt in November ( a few years back) the Italian ski rando race team were up training throwing laps up and down the Breithorn at ridiculous speed! One or two other things to potter about on on skins round the lift system there, but I know of at least 1 person who had a very close call with a slot off the side of the 6 man chair a bit lower down a few autumns ago...
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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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@BobinCH, I don't think you need to bother about High Altitude training especially as you're going to Siberia.
Just make do with the bike and hiking steeps, and run around inside with your new skis on 
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How fast are Siberian bears anyway?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Shirley this should be in off piste.
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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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| offpisteskiing wrote: |
| One or two other things to potter about on on skins round the lift system there, but I know of at least 1 person who had a very close call with a slot off the side of the 6 man chair a bit lower down a few autumns ago... |
I can imagine, it is pretty thin at the moment around that area.
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You know it makes sense.
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Breithorn plan B. Thanks!
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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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Not sure : Breithorn from the lift is like 380m climb if the snow is good. If not it‘s leave the skis approx. half way.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| BobinCH wrote: |
| Thanks for the beta. Looking for a high altitude aerobic workout to bed in new touring gear pre a late November touring trip. Not enough snow here yet. Any other better route recommendations? |
Breithorn is the obvious suggestion ... Though might end up a walk on crampons rather than a skin. Or Aiguille du midi to Hellbroner?
Though both of those very weather & conditions dependent.
If you just want to shuffle about on some new touring kit to check it works then somewhere like Glacier3000 / Les Diablarets could be ideal in early November. Always been stupidly quiet when I have been there (though never in November). Could probably ski down the Combe d'Audon and skin back up?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I wouldn't have suggested the Breithorn if it wasn't feasible on skis at the moment. Obviously.
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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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I've only tried it once in Jan 2016 and didn't make it. The snow/ice surface conditions defeated me, as it was too hard for ski crampons, yet when we switched to boot crampons we punched through knee deep. It was best described has trying to ski/walk on creme brulee 
There were plenty of crevases in Jan, so there would be many more in Nov/Dec. Picture take about halfway up from the top lift to the peak. Any early season glacier touring is going to be 'interesting' 
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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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@BobinCH, I could PM you details of a guide I know, actually met him in Siberia when he was on hols with his OH, and he lives in your part of the world and you could ask him sort a trip out where he thinks would offer best conditions etc
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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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| davidof wrote: |
| I wouldn't have suggested the Breithorn if it wasn't feasible on skis at the moment. Obviously. |
When I went up Breithorn in March 2019 we were looking forward to great snow conditions. The weekend before we went winds of up to 122 km/h stripped a lot of the snow off and left blue ice. Most of the climb up was with boot crampons and there wasn't much of a ski down. Not sure how the snowpack and wind conditions are up there at the moment though, that's all I was saying.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| DB wrote: |
When I went up Breithorn in March 2019 we were looking forward to great snow conditions. |
I wasn't criticising your post. Just saying I'd checked the conditions and the rimaye is bridged - but conditions can change on a daily basis so who knows in early November? There should be some fresh snow or it could be wind scoured. As least there are the pistes to use if all else fails.
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| DB wrote: |
| davidof wrote: |
| I wouldn't have suggested the Breithorn if it wasn't feasible on skis at the moment. Obviously. |
When I went up Breithorn in March 2019 we were looking forward to great snow conditions. The weekend before we went winds of up to 122 km/h stripped a lot of the snow off and left blue ice. Most of the climb up was with boot crampons and there wasn't much of a ski down. Not sure how the snowpack and wind conditions are up there at the moment though, that's all I was saying. |
The wind blew like crazy (from SW) last night and not much fresh so suspect all options will be scoured or wind crust/loading
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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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Nice 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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