Steep Vanoise 2011 (part 2)

On Wednesday we went into the Lauziere range, with the target being the North East couloir on the Cheval Noir, a 4.3 rated descent with a top section at 45º.
Cheval Noir from Col des Mottets, the couloir is centre on the face:



A long hot skin up the Combe Pierreuse and some boot-packing (chest deep at times) finally took us onto the summit with a good view into the couloir:





Ian, Paul & Graham on the summit:



Steep upper section:




Graham:



Paul:



Graham again:



Ian:



Paul demonstrating that even Volkls aren't unbreakable!:



Today (Thursday) we switched venues again and made for St Foy and the North face of Fogliettaz. As so often this did not dissapoint, and peering over the ridge to see only 6 tracks in the whole face definitely brought a smile to everyone's face! Great to catch up with Fred from Topski up there too.

Ian on the top pitch:



Graham going in deep:



Paul matching tracks:



Ian does some 'deep snowpack inspection':



Bottom of the upper face, still a long way to go from here:



Nice spot for lunch:



Last day tomorrow, who knows where we will end up?