Page 1 of 1

TR: Getting Cosmique, 17.2.10, Chamonix, France

Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 7:54 pm
by Diamond Dachshund
This is a crosspost from something else I wrote, but I would like to christen this board some appropriate niceness.

After 5 weeks in Chamonix, I still hadn't skied the classic line of the Cosmiques. The closest I got was a fail on the Glacier Rond a few weeks back after some heinous conditions forced a retreat. I was very keen on getting down the direct side of the Midi that allows for instant village access!

Tom rapping in.
Image

The entry of the line consisted of 3 30 meter raps off jenky anchors. We chose to abseil directly down the fall line, however I did see other parties heading a bit skier's right, possibly allowing for fewer abs. In addition, if you have gigantic balls, you can slide slip the second rap to the third anchor (which consisted of tattered shoelaces from the early 80s).

Liz starting to get into it.
Image

A GIGANTIC Serac collapsed near the end of the trip.
Image

Scenic as always.
Image

Image

As we approached the exit couloir, we could see some large seracs collapse across the way. Following the standard traverse to the old Midi station, we were able to enjoy deep pow in the pillows all the way down the exit of the tunnel.

Equipe Anglophone hugging the rock.
Image

The traverse back to the old mid station was quite exposed, and two days later destroyed by a massive serac fall an resulting avalanche from the Glacier Rond.
Image


L'eperon.
Image

Yes. plz.
Image

After this photo was taken we enjoyed an inevitable thwack of foresting. But it was worth it.

Re: TR: Getting Cosmique, 17.2.10, Chamonix, France

Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 7:56 pm
by skykilo
Very nice! Thanks, DD.

Re: TR: Getting Cosmique, 17.2.10, Chamonix, France

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 5:09 am
by ryanl
Way to christen with a classic DD. I'm gonna like this site....

Re: TR: Getting Cosmique, 17.2.10, Chamonix, France

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:37 pm
by jumpturn
Looks like you got nice conditions on the Cosmquies!

Pretty awesome run for lift service, hunh?

The glacier descent is really fun with good pow down to the tunnel. You would be psyched on the double air!!
Diamond Dachshund wrote: A GIGANTIC Serac collapsed near the end of the trip.
Image
Nothing like a class 4 serac avalanche to wake you up!!

Avalanche on the Bossons Glacier initiated by a serac fall, Chamonix, April 1, 2008.
Image