My plan to go do West Couloir Integral was scrapped as soon as the Midi announced they were opening late. Being Sunday there was gong to be a lot of attention on the North Face from those on their day off work so we changed to touring kit and headed off to Cirque Maudit for some tranquility and to see what looked good. Tour Ronde looked pretty good so we headed there.
The day wasn’t without a few challenges; Bird must have dreamt he could actually fly so he left his axes at home, my crampon bail snapped at the shrund and Minna had to get there on alpine day wreckers (alpine trekkers). Somehow we made it!
The last time I did this we rapped between the faces so it was a good adventure to take the skier’s left line down the face through the mixed ground. Once again I had the pleasure to ski with Minna Riihimaki and Bird Early.
The face looking good on the left of the photo. 
A choucas came to visit us as we climbed then this halo appeared. Minna and Bird enjoying good climbing conditions in the Petit Gerva.
In the starting gate.
Minna heading off down the upper face.
Bird arcing out some turns in the powder.
Minna in the pow then finding some firm snow.
Kaaw, kaaw – Bird in flight.
Bird at the end of the rocky centre section with Minna sidestepping past the rocks.
Into GS mode on the lower face. 
My POV with sluff chasing my tails.
Ross Hewitt Guiding 
