The last powder chasing in the 2024 season, 25th of April from Champex- Lac to Val d'Arpette.
We started hiking around 9am, quite late start, but we were really stoked about the fresh snow, which gave us more energy to be faster on the way up. My high hopes were crushed really quickly as I realised I'm still sick, I had fever in the past couple of days as well as sore throat, so my energy got drained really fast.
I couldn't keep up with Gabor after the first two hours, but he always stopped to wait for me here and there. Starting from 11am the avalanches started and the mountain seemed to shake of all the snow from behind us, which was the first affacted by the sun and due to our late start this hole trip was a a bit reckless and dangerous.
We had a long discussion during lunch, where we decided which couloir we should attack. Which seemed to be the closets one was still far far away, right when we started hiking up, we met with people already finishing their ride and around half way there around 2pm we were the last ones in the mountains.
After some discussion Gabor suggested me to not go right underneath him as he could see some cracks and it's better to avoid any avalanches. Quickly I traveresd to my left which lead me right in the avalanche path, after I made it through I realised it's getting worst and worst. I though my Ice Axe is dull and it is not holding me at all in the ice, but quickly I realised it's not ice, just small rocks, everywhere. 20-25cm fresh snow, then rocks everywhere If I slip here it will be a really bad season ending ride.
After more than an hour of struggle I made it to the rock which seemed like a huge accomplishment due to the circumstances, so I could start putting the snow rackets on my back, prepare my board and camera and wait for Gabor to reach the top.
As soon as he started riding he started an avalanche, which looked way bigger from my perspective, so after few secounds I realised it's better if I change spot. Later on he blamed me for staying there as he said it's just a small avalanche and he could have rided with it while I capture it in camera.... well we will never know now :D
Around 4pm I could put this heavy RIDE board on my feet and say good bye to it while enjoying the fresh powder, which was amazing. Hiking up took roughly 6hours while riding down was only 20 minutes, but it was 100% worth it.
The best way to say goodbye to the 2024 winter season in Switzerland.
@gabor_huszar
@kisvex
Негізгі бет The Last Powder Chasing in Switzerland - Val d'Arpette - Champex - lac
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