Petit Mont Blanc – North East / Bonatti Couloir

Its was always going to be a long day, especially with the amount of bad weather we have had this winter that has prevented us getting tour fit. It was deep going in. Then it got deeper. By late afternoon as the couloir steepened up it got ridiculously deep where I expected it to get faster for booting. Even with snow plates I was waist deep and trenching, the others up to their chests in my trench. Our team of 5 were cooked. We called a stop about 150 m from the top and skied amazing pow in the glow of the evening light. Thanks to Michelle Blaydon, Kirsti Lehtimaki, Cedric Bernardini and Robes Parron for a stunning day. NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-2NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-3 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-4 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-5NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-6 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-7 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-8 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-9 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-10 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-11 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-12 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-13 NE Couloir Petit Mt Blanc-14

Dolomites Part 1

After a few weekends when the weather looked poor in the Dolomites we finally hit the road the on the promise of a good forecast.  Its a long drive and with lots of traffic round Milan then with lots of snow and an avalanche on the road it was even longer, but worth it as the mountains are stunning. Dolomites ski-23

Dolomites ski-11The Pordoi pass at 2300 m with 5 m of snow lining the sides of the roads.Dolomites ski-25Screen Shot 2014-02-26 at 09.33.32Dolomites ski-2CristalloDolomites ski-24

The sun made a brief outing before the weather deteriorated and dumped another 50 cm.Dolomites ski-3 Dolomites ski-4 Dolomites ski-10Dolomites ski-12

Friends are flying with us!Dolomites ski

Dolomites ski-6Dolomites ski-7Dolomites ski-19Screen Shot 2014-02-26 at 09.42.41Screen Shot 2014-02-26 at 09.38.40

A Daley Dose

Liz Daley spine riding in Italy.Liz Daley Spine Riding

At the Menagerie

Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi

Powder Panda getting strange looks from the locals.Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-2 Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-3

Liz takes Diamond by SurprisePalud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-4 Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-13Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-7 Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-8 Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-10 Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-11 Palud Liz Daley Davide de Masi-12

Palud

Spine ridingLiz Daley riding spines