Ski Monte Rosa, May 2011
Superb powder turns at 4000m on the descent of the Dufourspitze, Monte Rosa, Swiss Alps
Whilst most folk have long since packed their skis away for the season and turned thoughts to sunny rock climbing, the high mountains of the Alps continue to provide some superb quality ski mountaineering and some great powder turns. At C.4000m on the north side of the Dufourspitze we encountered around 40cms of pristine fresh powder snow and whilst we did not make it to the summit we had some great turns and hugely enjoyable skiing.
The long ascent from the confortable new Monte Rosa Hut was made even tougher by a cold, windy and cloudy morning, but with a forecast for improvement we skinned steadily on up towards the Silbersattel. At around 4360m there is a major crevasse presenting a considerable icy obstacle to the traveller on skis. We turned around at this point due to the cool weather and wanting to get the ski descent in good condition.
A Swiss team failed to cross the crevasse in the centre but made better progress on the far lookers left of the Glacier, they went on to make an ascent of the Dufourspitze summit via the newly fixed ropes and anchors that are accessed from the Silbersattel at 4515m.
See below for photos and video of a fine days ski mountaineering with some of the best snow of the winter.....in mid May!
Ski Monte Rosa Video, May 2011
Fine powder skiing on the N. Facing descent from the Silbersattel on the Dufourspitze, Swiss Alps
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