More fun with the Kiwi boys. With work in the afternoon I only had time for a short trip. Rather than heading out with touring gear we decided on a boot pack above the Brevent ski area - in fact it was a return for me to the Aiguille Pourrie. Jason is on the initial steep section above the Cornu chair lift.
Clayton and Jason on the Col Cornu.
Clayton making his way through some nice rock early in the climb. The boys were eager to push on - following an existing track passing around the Aiguille. Unfortunately they missed the front access point - but it worked out well as the alternative to the direct approach was actually more interesting and I don't think it cost us that much extra time. Plus I think whoever had been up before us deliberately approached the Aiguille out of sight from the main ski area - meaning others were less likely to head up the Aiguille - breaking trail in fairly new snow not the easiest. The result being a better chance of fresh tracks for those who were a little more adventurous.
The boys really were on a mission - gaining ground each time I paused for photos - just shows how it all adds up. Plus I guess there is a reasonable speed difference of snow board boots over Alpine ski boots.
The other groups that had headed this way stopped short of the summit and skied down from just below our position here. We reckoned the extra half dozen turns and to actually summit were worth the extra work to carry on - for Jason and I especially - Clayton was more than happy to break trail.
Clayton opting for a short scramble rather than wading through the deep snow near the summit.
Can anyone spot some sunnies in this shot? Stupidly hung them on a bag strap just before the last steep section - I'll have to go back up for a look once the Brevent opens again in the summer...
Happy to be on the top.
Clayton weighs up the options with the Aiguille Verte and the Drus in the back of the shot.
After a bite to eat beanies, goggles and jackets were put back on and it was time for some fun. The entry can be quite interesting at times - depending on the snow cover and condition and also the state of the cornice.
On this day the entry proved to be pretty nice and as Clayton had broken trail on the last part of the climb I guess it would have been a bit rough not to let him enjoy first tracks. Alternatively, we were happy to let him go guinea pig!
Well worth the extra climb. You can see where we finished following the earlier tracks half way down the left hand side of this shot.
I dropped in second and here Jason is just getting on to where it opens nicely - although we couldn't drop too far skier's left as the snow had already transitioned slightly and the surface was a little crusty.
After riding the main pitch we tried to hold a high traverse - stealing short pitches along the way. The only problem as we get lower is second guessing the snow condition as we drop from the north facing slopes onto the more sun exposed valley and southern facing aspects. Clayton styling it through one of the last nice sections...
...and not so styling as he gets caught by some breakable crust, Oops.
