 Poster: A snowHead
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Found various pictures about this route. On snowheads but was hoping for some idea of the difficulty, compared to perhaps flypaper, col. De balme, grand couloir in courchevel , Nevis back carries etc.
Quite fancy going there with the missus tomorrow.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 21-02-13 18:36; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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TheGeneralist, I did that run on my first full day's off piste ever, having only done a day or so being taught by Snowheads beforehand. If the conditions are good (as they were when I did it) the route isn't too difficult. There's a fairly steep part at the top (which I'd have guessed at around 35 degrees), but will limited exposure. After this short section, IIRC, there weren't any other challenging bits at all, but the run really was beautiful and well worth the walk in, which in can take a while though - seem to remember it took us about 45 - 60 mins. I've never done any of the routes you list for comparative purposes 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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CORRIES
God how I despise this blackberry
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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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"walk in"
Ouch
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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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Definitely worth it though, especially if its a nice day. Seem to remember half being a bootpack and half being a very flat traverse
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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TheGeneralist,
Excellent route : probably similar to the G.C in Courchie - well worth the effort. Use skins, if you've got touring (AT) skis, or get hold of some Alpine Trekkers as an alternative to AT kit.
The entry couloir is fine, but the exit route can be a bit taxing: we did it after the previous week's warmer conditions with rain on the lower slopes, so it was quite a steep/icy descent next to the stream, so you don't want to lose it there 
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Not as steep as the top of Grand Couloir but a little tighter. Tougher and more remote than the Col De Balme. But nothing too taxing. Do it on a day with good vis to really make it worthwhile.
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No moguls on the Val Mesdi so easier than the Grande Couloir, I'd say. After the first bit it is easy (but spectacular).
Did you see this I posted about the walk in : http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=79604#1858268 ? Certainly worth it and you don't have to have skins, though it helps (we didn't have them the first time, as you can see from the photos).
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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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Snowball. Thanks very much for that excellent info. Had a quick baz round the Sellafield Ronda yesterday and the exit to Colfosco looked ok. Spent ages reconciling your photos with the 1:25000 map and that seemed in order. Weather this morning was much better than expected so off the two of us went.
Absolutely awesome, I even loved the walk in.
Brilliant day, especially as it fully clouded over later.
Still not keen on the predictive text on this blackberry though 
Thanks again.
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As the entry pitch of Mesdi opens out it joins another relatively easy looking gully on skier's right. Looks like it could be accessed by walking a further 200m to the right from the hut at the top rather than dropping straight down. Based on this very vague description, does anyone wish to proffer an opinion on its suitability for a skier you have never met and whose skills you have no knowledge of.
Go on.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I should clarify that I mean the second hut after the lift, ie the one you pass just before dropping into the start of the skiing. Once ALL the walking is complete.
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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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Glad it was good.
I think the building you mean is the Boe Refuge.
Just after the steep part of the Val Mesdi run there are 4 couloirs joining from the right. They are prone to avalanche and harder to access so probably better to go with a guide.
They are accessed by continuing the climb up to the peak of Piz Boe (instead of going left) then skiing along the ridge running North and then skiing down a little to the right, then a short climb back to the ridge and the 4 entries. I did this one: could it be what you saw?
However someone recently did a TR of skiing the area, including, well on in his report, a harder couloir of the 4 - it goes UNDER a wedged rock (looks exciting!!):
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=97141#2217976
Horizon's TR of our first Dolomites visit: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/50606-TR-Dolomites-17-25-March?highlight=Dolomites
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TheGeneralist, I was wrong.
I just returned from the Dolomites and you can indeed get to the couloir most skiers' left of the 4 by climbing up to the right from the traverse, just before the start of the Val Mesdi.
I think the one I did and illustrated above must be No.2
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You know it makes sense.
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snowball, The couloir with the wedge rock is not off Val Mesdi. its from the Boe gondola, and chair above at Corvara, then a short bootpack and long traverse. you come out on the same traverse though 
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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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[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/27724803@N07/8640086623/in/photostream[/img]
Normal entry to Val de mesdi
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