After a nice fresh amount of snow we thought that the Cosmiques would be perfect to head down and enjoy first tracks on this classic descent. Unfortunately the top third was icy, the middle third was improving slightly and the bottom third was really nice. However that’s the easy part- the glacier des Bossons is really hard to get off this year. Unlike last year where it was a 5 min ski it took us 2 hours of route finding (in thick cloud). There are some very large open crevasses around and I really dont recommend it for snowboarders. The ski back down to the Tunnel was fantastic though.
Fresh snow is on the way this monday and Tuesday and I hope to head up and do some climbing after it has fallen, so will report back then
Posted by Jon Griffith on March 09, 2008.
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Its been a while since I’ve updated but condtions havnt been that great and I havnt been out too much…however here are some shots from the last 24 hours. Went up to the Periades bivouac hut and apart from the fact it was a beautiful night with stunning views, there were some parties on the Grandes Jorasses north face (Croz spur). In fact there was another team arriving at the base when we skied past. However its worth remembering that it snowed a few cm locally higher up. for those interested in the NF of the Midi there was a rope heading up the Fil a Plomb but I have no idea if they made it passed the lower section as it is very bare for the moment.
The higest red light disctrict in europe?
If you click on the below images it will take you to a very high res version:
North face of the Grandes Jorasses. Not in great condition but routes that are predominantly rock are ok.
Close up of shroud, very poorly formed at the bottom
The Petit jorasses from below
Posted by Jon Griffith on February 24, 2008.
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Climbed Pelissier Gully today on the Lachenal. A short popular route that is in semi condition. The final harder pitch is more of a dry tooling fest to be honest but its nice and easy. The crux seems to have moved down onto the third pitch just below the belay stance- due to lack of snow and ice there is a delicate section that it hard to protect but its short and not too steep.
Deserves the M5+ it is graded as for the moment
Posted by Jon Griffith on February 17, 2008.
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Been a while since any fresh snow fell and as a result its a bit like spring skiing for the moment. Lots of nice ski touring to be done but dont exepct to find any powder. We did the Capucins Coulir today which is in need of some more snow and ended up rapelling three pitches only to do alot of slide slipping as there snow was too hard to ski without the risk or taking a huge tumble.
For those interested below is a very high res shot of the Grandes Jorasses north face from below the Leschaux hut that could be of some use
Posted by Jon Griffith on February 17, 2008.
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