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If you fancy developing your skiing with some ski mountaineering or ski touring then read on. This account is of a trip billed as an introduction to ski touring and gives a hint of the highs and lows of such an experience. The ski tour was run by The Eagle Ski Club and led by Mountain Guide Rob Collister. |
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Eagles in ArollaThe eight Eagles relaxed with a beer on the terrace of the Hotel Du Glacier and reflected on their previous week's endeavor. Seven aspiring ski tourists had joined Guide Rob Collister some six days earlier to embark on a hut-to-hut ski tour in the picturesque area around the Swiss village of Arolla (see map). Having warmed up with a day's off-piste skiing using the Arolla lift, where the only casualties were a few worried trees, the team departed on an overcast Monday morning for the ascent to the Bertol hut. In addition to the ascent of a couple of peaks (Tete Blanche 3724m and Pigne d'Arolla 3772m), generally stunning scenery (the Matterhorn from the Pigne d'Arolla in particular and everywhere else in general), constant reassessment of the plan due to variable weather, and copious cups of tea, there were a variety of other experiences worthy of mention (names have been withheld to preserve reputations!):
It may sound like an average tour to the seasoned ski mountaineer, but all of the team enjoyed it immensely. The week had fully lived up to its billing as an ideal introduction to hut-to-hut touring, an alternative offered was 'some of the best bits of the Haute Route without the crowds'. The party departed on the Saturday and whilst our tour had been without major incident the scars of avalanche, evident on the trip down the valley through the village of Evolene, reminded us that danger is never far away in the mountains in winter. Dan Carron, Eagle Ski Club member |
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Rob Collister is an International Mountain Guide and very experienced ski mountaineer. In addition to guiding on tours like the one described above he also offers private guiding or tuition in ski touring, climbing, mountaineering and wilderness trips throughout the year and throughout the world. In 2000 he is guiding an Eagle Ski Club expedition to Kedar Dome (6830m), in India. The Eagle Ski Club is a membership organisation set up for ski mountaineers using both Alpine and Nordic (Free-heel/Telemark) equipment. It runs an excellent programme of tours every year ranging from introductions to ski mountaineering and off piste skiing, to ambitious expeditions to the worlds highest mountains and remotest backcountry. There is also a programme of UK events, including ski weekends in Scotland and walking and climbing weekends throughout the UK. Take a look at their web-site for more information and a membership form. |
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Links: For
Information about The Eagle Ski Club: |
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