Take Two….Gliere SE Couloir

The face seen from the Liason cable car station
The face seen from the Liason cable car station. The peak to the right is the Index

Today we succeeded   We succeeded in our goal of skiing this little known yet handsome SE Couloir of the Gliere.  This, unlike most of the lines I have skied in the Aiguilles Rouges is actually reasonably involved with a few pitches of steep “no fall” skiing near the top.  This was a great place to find my bindings weren’t properly set up and occasionally  I would land a  jump turn free-heel.  Scary.  We had been up to this couloir two days previously but found there was too much fresh snow and quickly realized we should be tree skiing. We turned back after three turns and ran back to the resort.   Ross still got a few photo’s here….

Today was different.  We had a clear view of where to go and how to get there (today I’m working so technically this was done on my lunch break!) and with the track already in from the top of the Cornu chair in Brevent we were up and starting to ski in no time. The snow was very firm at the top but got better the further down we got. Still it was an awesome line and well worth the effort. Here are some shots….

Take one, dropping in to the top of the couloir the first time.  To much snow and avi risk so i side steeped put after 3 turns.
Take one, dropping in to the top of the couloir the first time. To much snow and avi risk to high so side steeped out after 3 turns.
From the Col du lac Cornu looking over the the Aiguille de la Gliere which is the peak on the right in the distance.
From the Col du lac Cornu looking over the the Aiguille de la Gliere which is the peak on the right in the distance.
This time it was Ross' turn to go first.
This time it was Ross’ turn to go first.
Steep section near the top
Steep section near the top
Middle section
Middle section
Lower exit Couloir
Lower exit Couloir.

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