Ski Touring: Scia Couloir S - 2,312 m. (7,586 ft)

Fri, 2 January 2009

Technical

Minimum altitude: 1,080 meters

Distance: 10 km

Slope Aspect: North-West

Vertical Climbed: 1,100 meters (3,609 feet)

Vertical Descended: 1,100 meters

Rating: 4.3

Avalanche Risk: 2

Snowline: 1,080

Description

I've never visited this bowl which is clearly visible from the trail that climbs to the Jasse. My initial idea of a col du Sifflet but the approach was blocked by brushwood that was still visible in this poor start to the season. The col de la Scia - north couloir - didn't have enough snow cover so I picked an "S" shaped route on the north face. Only the last 100/150 meters are seriously steep, especially the final meters.

The snow was a bit wind affected - the fresh snow was poorly bonded to an old hard layer. A snowpit revealed a hard slab with depth hoar underneath. Everything seemed stable - well bridged but I side slipped the first meters so as to not put too much load on the snowpack.

Good ski on the north face, less good lower down and on the road to Prabert.

Access: Parked at 1080m, snow afterwards

Country: France Area: Belledonne Trailhead: Prabert

Conditions

Overcast but warmish

 

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