Winter is coming! November/5/2011

During the first days of November snow storms have appeared in north Spain. Our area received heavy snowfalls, especially on Saturday. There may be around 30cm of fresh snow average from 1800-1900 in Picos de Europa, but less in inner areas.

This is not the first time that it happens this season. In mid October after an unusual warm and dry period, a few snow storms reminded us that winter was coming.

Unfortunatly, weather next week will get milder again.

Pic: 16.15 pm on Saturday in Aller

Tresenta, 3606m 12-Junio-2011 (Alpes)

It is quite funny to re-memorate this trip, after such an intensive days. This morning I woke up in the ferry that took us to Livorno again from Sardegna after 10 days of adventure as well, but that time looking for beaches, hiking or sailing to get there, camping...It turned out a fantastic trip with all the requirements to ever forget!

I hadn´t gone to the mountains since beginnings of May due to the weather and the exams (finally, I´ve finished the university:)). Fortunatly I met Joachim when we were planning the trip to Sardegna...also unforntunatley not to  have met him before. Basically we motivated each other to skiing before leaving at least once.

The weather was gonna be acceptable at all, so early in the morning we drove to Gran Paradiso National Park. While we were driving we could see how the Mont Blanc shines in a random morning of June.

The path to the refuge was without snow like in May when I came to Gran Paradiso. We could use the track skins from 2800.

Ahead, we would have one of the glaciar of the park without risks.

At the bot of the mountain, once the glaciar is over we had to continue by feet again. Finally another 400m till the summit.

And summit after all...It was quite exhausting. The fog was in the other side of the valley, although in certain times it moved and we doubted about the visibility in the descent.

Everything went on the good way. The spring-snow was perfect. We took it in the best moment. Everything has been worth just with that turns!

Later we got the refuge again....resting, Coca Cola, and talking about all the things could have done!
Always peacful the final pine woods untill the car.

I didn´t know it, but much likely that has been the last day in the Alps in "winter" season. Once, the university is over everything is fuzzy and uncertain about my future. Just hope that more and less I could reach my plans and get so many experiences like this year in some region that attract me.

Gran Paradiso, 4060m May 1 2011 (Alpes)

Sicily turned out a fantastic trip! We got around the island with the car and scooter...so funny!

Once in Torino again, the weather was stormy and mostly cloudy all the time. Just on Sunday the weather was going to be more and less nice. The best was that the previous days had snowed a bit due to some storms.

Claudio phoned me, and I decided to take advantage of such wonderful conditions. We hiked up to the refuge on Saturday. I was freaking out...the path was without snow untill the refuge that takes place at 2750m!





Suddenly it started to snow...just a little bit. It was funny. It was snowing but at the same time the Sun was shinning, so it wasn´t cold.


A pic from the refuge at the Sunset with some clouds.




On Sunday we woke up even before than in Swizertland....I don´t know the reason but everybody was leaving at five in the morning...Anyway we wope up at 6am, it was soon enough.


The snow coreved was abosuletly different than before going to Sicily....much better!


The glaciar, maybe one of the best place of the ascent.


We were almost on the "ski summit". The view from there is awesome...We are like 400m over the highest summits of La Vanoise, the feeling looks like we are in the top of everything.


Claudio and two french people we met in the refuge stopped there. The ridge to the real summit is exposed and crampons and piolet were required for everyone, at least in those conditions.

I´d try it alone.

As you can se the ridge is difficult. I don´t know why is considered an easy 4000m...maybe just coming until the "ski summit" or in summer without snow and ice.




I arrived at some point where a rope and other alpine gear that I didn´t have was required. It was a pity, cos I was almost there but alone and withoug equipment I decided to give me up.

I turned over my steps and carefully I went down the ridge.


Once I got the adrenaline going I set up my splitboard. The descent has been done on my own. Claudio left while I was climbing the ridge. Some clouds were coming..

The descent was awesome....I was pretty lucky to take this kind of snow in May. The slopes are pretty funny. They are wide and sloping enough.

The scenary is incredible speacilly in the highest part.




Goooooood snow!



Floating again... I almost forgot what it means...


So I went down the snow changed into spring snow, but that one enjoyable. It means firm and regular, but at the same time soft.


After eating something in the refuge, we followed two skiers. Of this way, we could achieve the 2350m quote with the snow.

A really good descent taking into account this times!

Later we took the path untill the car to end maybe my mast 4000 of this year. Anyway there are a large number of 3000 that I wanna go. I also have to take a look of Castore and Polluce. If it´s worthly and the conditions are with us, we may go there as well.

Another classical done! :)

Monte Thabor, 3170m April 13 2011 (Alpes)

This week, I hadn´t planned to do anything. I´m just thinking in my next trip and resting of the last 10 alpine days.

Obviosly, I couldn´t resist one sunny day more and what´s more visiting an unknown valley for me.

Carlos+Carlos went to Stretto valley. This valley is settled close to Bardonecchia, and it´s a hard-fought terrain with France. Since 1949 France took the right over the valley untill nowadays.

We left the car at 1640m...and the snow covered started at 2100m....so we had to walk a lot.

While I was walking it reminded me of the Dolomiti. I´ve never been there, but in mi opinion that looks similar.

Carlos getting the summit.


Even on the summit the snow covered was damaged. In this part of the Alps it has far snowed below the average.

Massiff Ecrins.


Behing the last mountains Ginebra takes place. So we saw the end of the Alps...

The first 200m the snow was too hard, later became softer.


The snow covered would end soon...

We could have said that we went to Dolomiti...

Pretty place...

Lonely dirty road...


A classical trip ski tour day from Torino, but there was not so much snow left to really make the most of the zone.

Now it´s time to Mediterranean style and go to Sicily!!

Ludwighöhe, 4342m April, 8-9 2011 (Alpes)

On the way back to Torino we were discussing where to go the next days. We talked about going to Zermatt or even Bern Alps. Taking into account mi position, we ended up choosing the italian side of the Monte Rosa massiff.

To close up our holidays we were keen to give a shot to another 4000. On Friday we took the cableway till 3250m in the Gressoney ski area. That day just had to get the refuge which is settled at 3550m. We were on the verge of trying another summit that day, but the unnusual heat of those days and timing advised us against doing that.

We were resting in the terrace with an awesome view southwards.

Finally, Sun set up.


On Saturday we woke up before Sun went out.

Pablo going up toward Lys coll.


Us close to the coll.


Our summit, Ludwighöhe.


Me on the beatiful ridge for the summit.


The mythical Liskamm from the summit.

Us on Ludwighöhe 4342m, our top ever reached. The summit is actually inside the italian boundier, despite the name.

The descent was easy and more and less enjoyable. Maybe a little bit early for me, at least. Although in the bottom part we had wished to start earlier.





From 2500m we took the Gressoney pistes. To get the village there was just one piste surrounded by the green meadows for more than 200m.

Who can doubt about the potential of taking care the snow??


Later, we drove down the valley. Probably, the most beatiful valley I have ever seen in the Alps, including Swizertland.