Latest Rave: A Canyoneering/Skiing Journal: March 29 to April 8, 2001

 
A little ski tour with a few friends...

RAMSAY THOMAS. He said "Come ski the Haute Route with the finest friends you've never met". He said "Ski Here Now". He said "The turn you just made is the best turn you have ever made". He said "The turn you are about to make is the best turn you will ever make". He said "I no longer try to shape the trip; I now permit the trip to shape me". He said "This is not a guided trip per se. Each of you will be part of the decision making process and be responsible for your selves. Some of you may have less experience than others and that's fine. I've guided the Haute route before, I am familiar with it and ready to manage risk, find the way in a white out, carry out a rescue if needed and so forth. But I won't wipe your ass or carry your pack. My intention is to have fun with my friends and do some great skiing."

The plan was simple: invite a bunch of friends to ski Haute Route. Kind of guided, kind of not. A variety of high quality people most of whom have never met, but who should enjoy each other. Never say "no". Stay loose. See what happens. My own journey began with the usual pre-trip frenzy, a visit to the wonderful-not JFK airport, and a quick ride to Geneva on a Air Suisse jet. A few hours later found me checking into an attic room at the Hotel Louvre in mythical Chamonix, with Mont Blanc towering overhead, croissants at every corner, and narrow twisting lanes with few cars. I pulled my rusty French out from high-school days, but soon found the residents very friendly, and about 20% Brits anyway.

After a little wandering of the streets and a jet-lagged, sleepless night, we hopped on the Aiguille du Midi Telepherique and gained a quick 10,000 feet for the classic run down the Vallee Blanche. Bluebird skies and 18" of fresh pow-pow greeted us after a week of bad weather in the area. Just a little shakedown run to check out the new gear. This also gave us the first chance to meet our new best friends. Everything "seemed" under control, but... Since there were a fair handful of guide-candidates in the group, we would break into smaller groups each day and have some guide training, while having fun with our friends. The first test was short-roping down the ridge from the Aiguille du Midi, which went smoothly. In this photo, Ramsay, as head guide, is helping each of us put our skis on. Man, the guy never quits.

Here's Heather McCoy, who always seems to have a big smile on her face (you'll found out why, later). And Paul Gitterman, who freed his heels and freed his mind - and rips like a fiend. Next