Messages posted by : offpisteskiing
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B*gger, yes - forgot to mention that...
Mr Glen Plake will be appearing at Ski & Board night and is also speaking on the Saturday night - 21:30 at the Parish Hall. Not sure if he has any other appearances planned in the UK though, so set the Satnav for kendal... |
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Hey folks,
Just a reminder that this coming weekend (18-21st) is the Kendal Mountain Festival - 4 days of great films, peakers, events 7 socialising... Ski & Board night is Friday night in the Dojo at 7pm: http://www.mountainfest.co.uk/programme-detail.cfm?programme=9 More ski & board sessions throughout the weekend - check the main timetable. See you there!! |
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Thats a real shame - such a great area! Hopefully they can raise the funds and reopen in 11/12 - would be a shame if the whole thing was left to rust...
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Hi folks,
Just to let you know, the film from this June's ski descent of Tower Gully is now live online following yesterday's premiere at the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival. Enjoy! |
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That's alright... I'll quite happily take 'bonkers' as a compliment !! :-)
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And finally, after some delay, I have found time to edit the video from a recent trip down a big dark 'ole to go skiing - enjoy!
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Finally got around to chopping together a quick edit of a trip up (& down) the Mt Pourri in July:
Enjoy! |
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Despite work getting in the way big style last month, a ski descent was pulled out of the bag on the 31st August keeping the '12 month challenge' alive & well, just...
I had heard rumours of a 'legendary' cave that existed with a snowfield in the bottom of it which kept its snow all year round... last year with further research I discovered its name: the Chourum de la Parza. Sitting in the Devoluy massif, South of Grenoble, the Chourum sees very occasional ski descents, mainly due to the difficulties in getting into it - 75m of abseiling to access it, followed by a climb back up the ropes to get out again! Will testing out his 4x4 sandals on the approach: 
Entrance to the Vallon de Truchiere: 
The entry to the Chourum: 
Don't forget some bolt hangers! - The top belay is rigged with bolts and nuts but no hangers - presumably to avoid casual users getting in over their heads? 
25m down the top slabs, just the small matter of a 50m free-hanging abseil from here: 
Luckily we had taken a 100m rope along with the 75, as the top of the snow was pulling away from the rock leaving a big, dark bergschrund - with 75s one person would probably need to stand holding the rope-ends at all times to avoid them drifting out of reach above the void!! On top of the snow, looking back up the ropes: 
Will starting the free-hanging abseil: 
Almost down: 
Will enjoying his first subterranean turns: 
The snow was great - firm névé with a soft surface - after the first couple of metres which were covered in debris from above the surface was smooth & debris-free and with a steady angle of 35-40º perfect for skiing! After 80m or so the snow ran out onto a gentle area of rocks & dust; further exploration below the snow-line took us another 80m or so deeper into the cave, past quite a few bones (previous skiers?) to the cave bottom... Will climbing up for another lap: 
After a few laps of the 'indoor ski slope' we decided we should really think about getting out of there again...time for some suffering...50m jumaring up free-hanging ropes, in ski boots, with backpacks & skis hanging off the harness... enough to make anyone sweat. Will did a sterling job for his baptism into 'proper' rope climbing - good effort mate! Will near the end of the big climb: 
Almost back on dry land!: 
Jumar: 
Great views - the scenery was absolutely stunning - from the rocky peaks of the Obiou, to the Verdon-esque rock walls in the valley - and best of all - not a soul in sight! 
Video to follow.... |
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