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.
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.
A GIGANTIC Serac collapsed near the end of the trip.
Scenic as always.
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.
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.
L'eperon.
Yes. plz.
After this photo was taken we enjoyed an inevitable thwack of foresting. But it was worth it.
