Chocolate Freeride Blog

Friday, February 22, 2008

A couple of days ago we went on the hunt for some fresh snow (it hasn't snowed here in over two weeks so the pickings are slim). He headed to the very top: Mont Fort. From there we skinned to the Col de Prafleuri. To our right was the Rosablanche and below us just beyond our view the massive Barrage (dam) de La that holds back the Lac des Dix. We took off our skins and traversed below the looming cliffs of the Pointes des Autans. Chamoix whistled and perched high above let us know we were in there domain. We stuck our skins back on for a short ascent to our hidden stash: the Point D'Alleves. Our ski down was great but the snow was old so it took a bit of getting used to. You had to sort of let go and let the skis guide you through each turn. When we got midway down to the larger bowl you could really open it up. At the bottom in a little hamlet called Pralong we stopped for a a well deserved lemonade/beer. We took the bus to Thyon and started the long trek back to Verbier covering the entire Four Valleys. Great day out!

Avalanche Danger Scale

High Alpine

1–Low

Mid mountain

1–Low

Treeline

1–Low


Current conditions:

It's still sunny!

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm
Ø 2200m - 111 cm
Ø 2950m - 100 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are hard but south facing slopes are turning to spring corn in the afternoon.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is decreasing and getting safer.

"In the course of the day on steep sunny slopes below about 2500 m, wet snowslides and avalanches are possible. Completely apart from the time of day, isolated full depth wet snowslides continue to be possible. Open glide cracks are indicators of this hazard.” SLF.ch

Forecast:

No snow on the forecast. Possibly some high clouds this weekend.


Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.


Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

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