Standing at the bottom of the line a was feeling sick. No amount of water could wet my pallet and I started to wonder if I might throw up or crap my pants. Xavier was pointing up to a line that he wanted us to hike and climb and I was not feeling it. It required a 200 foot ice climb up to a hanging, very exposed, snow field. To ride it safely would require a rappel in the middle of the line.
“I will follow you up to the crux and if I am not feeling it I will belay you,” I told Xavier. With a lightened pack on my back I started feeling good as I approached the ice climb. Xavier led the charge and placed solid protection the whole way up. I followed and felt great. For the sketchy parts we were protected and then once on the hanging face the snow was still frozen and made for great climbing. It just shows that with the proper gear lines like this are totally doable.
The last two days we have been climbing and riding some smaller lines. We are hoping to hit a big face that tops out at just above 14,000 ft. It is a serious face that would put our skills to the test. We have been hiking hard up high and sleeping up high to get acclimatized. Every run I learn something new. Nothing comes easy in these mountains and you can not let your guard down at any point.
- The Tour Ronde. At 1800 vertical drop this is considered “mini golf” in the alps. This one had me sick to my stomach at the bottom before I headed up to climb and ride it.
The top of the Tour Ronde looking down.
This line seemed mellow at first. About half way up we hit white ice and had to put in ice screws and rope up.
This is the fastest moving weather I have ever seen. It will go from full sun to dumping snow in twenty minutes.
We hit this chute riding together. It was in perfect conditions.
We are a long way from home.
Seracs are a huge hazard here. We avoid being under them as much as possible.
This is the line we are hoping to hit. We would like to hit the coulior. This is the top half. It is 3500 feet of 45 to 55 degrees. It was skied once in 1977. This fact alone freaks me out because people get after it here.
so sick jeremy.
love to watch the blog, thanks for sharing… gets me stoked.
My God, those lines are SICK!
This is becomming dangerous man
Take Care 
Edd
Seriously. The 1977 line has me “excited” for you guys. Have good shredding. Good luck everyone.
Xaiver is a charger. Its going to be good to see him all over this movie. He deserves it.
I’ve been reding Tobias Granath’s Blog for the past couple years. Some similar lines you might enjoy Jeremy.
Xaiver kills it. World Cup and Freeride Tour….unbelieveable
You are amazing dude…have a great summer…just tuned up the Mtn.Bike and starting to ride again.
RIP Karine. Jer, you’re on a sick path, stay safe and good luck. +vibe…
The mountains took another amazing person. It is a sad day in Chamonix. Karine Ruby touched many people.
This unfortunate event points out the paradox of the place you are visiting. Things like North Face of Tour Ronde are “mini-golf” and big fun but at the same time you risk your life in a way that just doesn’t happen in most other sports. I think you’re doing it right by getting out with locals who understand that the fun has to be the focus no matter how hard you’re pushing, otherwise you end up in situations that don’t make much sense.
jer, your writing just keeps getting better and better. keep it up. this is priceless stuff. oh and the snowboard mountaineering is pretty sick too.
btw, best way to deal with jet lag to europe is xanax — short acting, no hangover, allows you to sleep on plane
Dude, Bitch that the line down Aig Blanche du Peutery wasn’t in nick. Good line you were planning to do, we kept an eye out for you all the way up the Kuffner Arete, planning to do some sneaky filming ;-). Well at least you got a good climb up it. Good summit. What did you ride in the end?
FKNA! Good to see people advancing snowboard mountaineering. This is some sick, sick stuff.
Very sad to hear about Karine. Seems there is never a shortage of tragic reminders in Chamonix… especially this year.
Jeremy - Best wishes on the 1977 line! Having had a more limited riding season myself, it is great to live vicariously through your blog:)