Ski Mountaineering is Crazy

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
05/18/2020 at 13:45 • Filed to: another way to die

Ski mountaineering is crazy. Sorry I can’t seem to properly link the video but these folks are skiing down from Aigulle du Midi back to Chamonix in France. It’s steep, like gotta rope over some cliffs ste ep.

At Aiguille du Midi you are looking across a glacier to Mount Blanc and into Italy and Switzerland, it is truly a stunning sight. 10/10 highly recommend.

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DISCUSSION (14)

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 13:52

yup. I bought an Ice axe and crampons trying to follow a buddy of mine and after a single outing I nop ed outta that. I would never have been able to keep up with him anyway. He’s a top 10 ultra runner and does stuff like “ ski mountaineer all the biggest peaks in the state” for the funsies.

here is his latest post

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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
05/18/2020 at 13:56

I have a thing about heights, that makes me nope out of 90% of these situations.

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 13:57

Me too. ropes are an acceptable form of edge use...but I still can’t really climb without the coffee legs.

Darkbrador > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 13:59

Ski-mountaineering is so 1982. Now it’s all about speed riding ! or something ...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Darkbrador
05/18/2020 at 14:02

Kinja'd!!!

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > HammerheadFistpunch
05/18/2020 at 14:04

That’s a lot of work to ski some really shitty snow lol

That’s nuts though. Are those rock faces they are going up as steep as they look or is that clever camera angles? On camera m ost stuff usually looks less steep than it actually is, but this looks insanely steep.

HammerheadFistpunch > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
05/18/2020 at 14:21

Agreed. The risk/reward want even close for me. Granted if you scroll through some of his other pics you’ll see some amazing stuff. Yes the face it’s that steep. People get heli rescued on that face every year taking wrong turns from the summit. He's an amazing climber though

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 14:29

You should watch The Fifty on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHt706cPTznWOy3nsk9zmQ

Eventually, they get into a lot of discussion about safety and how they choose what lines to do on what days, etc. - Cody Townsend seems like a pretty responsible backcountry / ski mountaineer type. Good to see.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
05/18/2020 at 14:34

Those atomic skis he is using are lighter than my nordic skate skis. You have to be a next level skier to get something that inadequate down any slope let alone a narrow chute.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 14:44

I have never done that, I have done some insane things but I have no desire to do that. I used to climb all over the world b ut I’m not doing that.

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 15:10

I saw Chamonix and didn’t bother looking how spread out the remains would be some lucky individual would be plucking off the mountain later this year.

Something got left at my door today. Will do a post later on the crazy it’s allowing me to remove.

The Snowman > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 16:41

I’ve skied off that peak all roped up and still say these guys are nuts.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > The Snowman
05/18/2020 at 16:49

I think there are “safer” areas to descend like right under the walkway between the tram station and the restaurant . I think that’s the chute Plake, Smitt and Combs skied in the blizzard of Ahhhhh’s. Safer is relative.

When I was young I’d seek out the gnarliest and steepest of lines. Now I’m not so into that. I like skiing trees and moguls and pow. I’ll even carve up some front side groomers but I do not cliff.

The Snowman > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/18/2020 at 17:18

You are correct. Also if you ever get the chance to meet Plake go for it. I met him on one of his road trips as a kid. Helps to grow up a ski patrol brat.