Ski Mountaineering ISMF World Cup

Last weekend, Verbier held the first stage of this year's ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) World Cup.  The ISMF are the body responsible for competitive ski mountaineering and each year hold events across the world from the Alps to the USA to Russia.

Over the last century the sport of 'skimo' racing has developed significantly from the original military patrols used as a test for soliders, to inclusion of it in the winter olympics as a skimo / biathlon crossover.  What is most interesting now is with the development of lighter gear the techniques used are becoming closer to those of cross country skiing and many more people are using it for fitness training both off and on the pistes.  Soon after these original races the 'big 3', Patrouille des Glaciers, Pierra Menta, and Mezzelama developed, and thereafter came the 'modern day' vertical races.  In addition to the tradition team races that happen every year, there are various world cup series, and most larger ski resorts hold a vertical rando race of some sort.

 

The individual race took place on Saturday, the vertical on Sunday.  With chances to obtain points in each race, most of the competitors entered both.  

The first race, the individual competition took place at Bruson, covered 1770m of ascent over four skinning sections reaching a maximum height of 2445m at the top of the Six-Blanc.  It was exciting to watch the start of the race as they set off almost running up the steep intial hill.  At the first gun the senior mens team raced off in their Pierre Gignoux boots, ultralight Trab skis, and lycra skinsuits that hung off their super lean bodies.  This was followed by the other categories and the Swiss cup race.  There was a reasonable turn out of spectators, however we were a bit disappointed to find a lack of trade stands and other advertisements both in the village and at the race itself.  The drums and brass band were great though! 

The Mens start of the individual race

Start of the popular race on the Saturday, the biggest field of the day

Sunday was the vertical race, from Medieres (between Le Chable and Verbier) to Les Ruinettes.  Over 5km long, with around 755m of ascent.  The winner completed the course in 39 mins, and the first female finished in 45mins.  We watched them from the high street in town, and most of them looked exhausted already.  After a win from Kilian Journet yesterday, he ran across the line, skis in his hands, just a few seconds behind to take third place.

You can find all of the race results and further details on the Verbier website.

It snowed...

The snow has arrived...

Savoleyres

Crazy clouds after the main snowfall

With 20-30cm of new snow from Verbier upwards, the pistes have softened up a lot and we've had a chance to ski some freshies.  Although the slopes are not perfect yet, at least the temperature has dropped so it hasn't melted yet!

2013 summary part 2

At the end of each ski season or trip I often find myself dying to get out rock climbing again, and Spring 2013 was no different.  The only downside was the weather and quantity of work.  Thankfully, due to the breaks back home in the winter season I had kept up some of my strength and the endurance soon returned.  While I let myself down on the outside climbing front, inside I was determined, climbing harder routes than before and started to get over my falling phobia!  Another revelation was finally understanding how to use my feet, leg and bum muscles to pull me up the wall.

As a freelance outdoor instructor I worked across the country from Dorset to the Peak District to London to Wales.

Guiding the Southern Carneddau Horseshoe in Snowdonia.  A much needed lunch break.

In between work I tried to get in as much climbing as possible including fun personal days out and 'more serious' practice days in preparation for my Mountaineering Instructor Award assessment which I am aiming to do in 2014.

Climbing with Sarah on Lion in the Llanberis pass, my favourite VS in the pass.  Awesome exposure and you can't quite believe it's VS but the holds and gear keep arriving in time!

Simply the best lean to shelter I have ever seen built in just a few hours by some students on an outdoor residential course

Squeezed in between work we managed to head up to Scotland for a holiday.  We bagged some munros, had some good cakes; but most importantly were impressed by the Cairngorm national park service and help of the wardens.  Upon entering the post we were greeted with a friendly welcome, shown lots of photos of places we could walk and climb, could ask for a 'poo pot' to carry everything out, and there was a wildlife spotter chart on the wall too.  I only hope that the Snowdonia park will become more like this in the future.

In the Cairngorm ski resort

In July I led an expedition to Peru with a group of sixth-formers from London.  This was an amazing experience, I learnt loads, loved it, and as it was my first trip as sole leader of the group, a major stepping stone in my outdoor career.

Foggy skies in Lima, Peru

Trekking in the Andes

Returning to the UK in August the heat wave ended.  Just before I managed to get in my first route on Cloggy, and then it was back to the climbing wall.  Even our trip to Cornwall was plagued with bad weather and the only advantage of this was the discovery of the Barn Climbing Wall.  Truly epic, with bouldering that topped out, and really friendly.  http://www.barnclimbingwall.co.uk/  We also visited the Eden Project, had a Mediterranean lunch in one of the Biomes and got lots of ideas for our veg patch when we finally have one.

The view out of the van by Bosigran.

In the Autumn I completed the first step to becoming an International Mountain Leader by completing the summer training course and speed nav test.  A five day long course held at Plas Y Brenin, and meeting the other trainee's was one of the best bits as the wealth of experience within the group was astonishing.

A fungi - I still have no idea which one it is!

Before leaving North Wales for the winter, some snow arrived on the tops and I tried to spend as much time as possible running and walking outside to get some of my leg fitness back.

The view from the Nantlle ridge across to Snowdon

Walking in the Carneddau, the view across to a snowy Y Garn

Mixed weather in the Carneddau

Finally arriving in Verbier, Switzerland at the end of November with a fully laden van, there appeared to be little snow.  It just kept melting, in fact, during the Christmas week I managed to run up to Croix des Coeurs - around 2000m, only touching snow for the last 200m or so.  Finally we got some fresh powder before the New Year and the trail running in shorts and silly socks ended.

The view across to Verbier in late December - normally freezing and covered in snow.

Trail running just before sunset along the bisses above down from the forest to Les Planards.

2013 summary, part 1

As the Verbier ski conditions continue to be subnormal for this time of year - snow is due later this week; I thought it would be good to spend some of my day thinking over 'best bits' of 2013 in the outdoors and thinking of goals for 2014.

2013 began with a great ski season in the Alps, mostly because I got a job and the ski touring was excellent.  After such a good start to the year it was with trepidation that I embarked upon my first summer season in the outdoors as a full time freelancer - no side contracts, no other jobs, all outdoors and all self employed.  My main worries included whether I would get enough work and still have time to climb and most importantly see friends and family.  All in all I had a great summer of work, but I would still have liked much more time to play!

Here are some photos and stories from the previous year.


December 2012 we drove out to the Alps for a holiday.  I had no job, bought a season pass, and pretty much thought that I would be returning to the UK at the end of the holiday to return to a never-ending land of contract waitressing at London Christmas parties!

Within a few days of arriving I landed a part time ski instructor job with Adrenaline Ecole de Ski, and thus, I drew ever closer to my dream life.

Off piste skiing in Verbier

 The season of 2012/13 was incredible, the powder days kept coming, and it was great to share them with friends and family.


Winter conditions back home in North Wales came and went, and in my time off skiing, around the school holidays I squeezed in lots of winter walks and scrambling.  I even got to try out my new Haglofs couloir pants (the older version of these http://www.haglofs.com/en-us/products/clothing/layers/shell-layer/men/couloir_iii_pant_en-us.aspx ), of course bought purely to look good in photos!

There was even enough snow to do my first day of Welsh ski touring, Nant Peris - Y Garn and back.  It was... an experience!

Welsh winter walking in the Ogwen Valley

Upon returning to the Alps I passed my BASI level 1 telemark exam, went ski touring in Austria, worked the Easter holidays and finally got to ski the Bec Des Roses, my first 5.1 ski descent and super exciting - particularly when I realised I would have to do a kick turn at the top of the 55 degree section!

The view down the Bec des Roses after the first few turns.

The line of the dogleg couloir on the Bec des Roses (the dashes are where you can't quite see the line, but it's just the other side of those rocks!)

As an active member of the Eagle ski club I joined them on two tours in March 2013.  Touring in the 'start' of the season means the huts are emptier, there is more snow, but it's colder and ... there's more snow.

We were lucky enough to have great weeks both in the Northern Stubai and in the Otztal regions of Austria, both of which I have never been to before, and both of which held amazing huts, mountains and ski lines.  I can safety say it was some of the best ski touring I've done in the Alps.

Ski touring in Austria, amazing views and great skiing

Powder yo-yo-ing by the hut on a 'day off'  The couloir back right was what we came down the day before in foggy conditions

Ski touring in Austria, breaking trail, hard work but I secretly love it

Conditions in the Alps continued to remain well into Summer, and it was with some reluctance that I returned home at the end of April.


Part 2, summer and autumn to come soon.

Vallon D'Arbi - A Type 2 Fun Day!

After a bit of a warm up in Lac des Vaux, I noticed that the Vallon D'Arbi was finally open.  Out of all the itinerary routes in Verbier this one is my all time favourite.  Quieter than Tortin with numerous off piste variations, it has it's draw backs too.  When it's not avalanching, you often have to ski through solidified debris, the top cat track traverse is usually super icy and lumpy, and the last section to La Tzoumaz provides a 'long arduous descent if you have crippled knees!'  Unless you can sideslip, kickturn, and feel confident in all sorts of snow, this is not the run for you!

The traverse across to Col des Mines after leaving the dug in cat track

I was rather relieved that the 'direct' descent from the traverse to the bottom of the valley was covered in small rocks, with rather dubious looking snow cover, as we had brought no avy gear with us.  At least we weren't missing out on some powder!  So, we continued on to the Col des Mines and would make our route choice from there.

Yup, that's where the route goes, straight through the debris

On any descent in this valley you normally have to cross some avalanche debris.  It's notorious for avalanching, and is one place that I respect when officially closed.  Luckily for us the track through was well used, and the few places lower down the route were simple enough too.

Jim doing some 'mini tree skiing'  It only got worse after this

The top pitches held small bumps, quite soft forgiving snow, and pretty good all things considered.  The further down we skied, the more plantlife and rocks appeared, and the more interesting the snow got!

Finally meeting the piste, a much needed picnic stop was taken at the Maison de Foret, before continuing, partially on ski, partially on foot, to La Tzoumaz.