The Vallée Blanche starts at 3842 meters (12,602 ft) on the Aiguille du Midi. Bernard roped our six person team together and we carefully made our way down a narrow catwalk with a 40 degree drop off one side for quick access to the Chamonix valley floor (we only had to negotiate a drop off on one side as Bernard took us on the lower route - see pic). We strapped our skis on atop an icy knoll. Bernard started the descent, looked back at us and said, "Stay to the left; there is a crevasse to the right." And with that, each of us peeled off, one by one.
(Bernard was born and raised in Chamonix. He also likes to yodel in the valley flats...and I love him for that.)
The Vallée Blanche run is over 10 miles long. Halfway, we stopped at the Refuge du Requin for a break before dropping into the breathtaking Mer de Glace glacier.
the little black dots to the right of the glacier are skiers!
again...the string of black dots at the base of the glacier is another group of skiers. Just on the other side of the peaks to the left is Italy. Groups from Courmayeur access the Vallee from that side.
Bernard is also an amateur photographer.
(luckily, not used.)
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