Aiguille d’Argentiere Y couloir

Photo- Luca Pandolfi

Yesterday I headed out for my first tour of the year with both my oldest and newest ski partners, Brendan O’Sullivan and Tom Coney. Early in the season often the best steep skiing is to be found on the Southern aspects as the cold snow doesn’t bond well to icy North faces. The Fins had recently skied the Y couloir and reported good conditions, none of us had skied this line before so after a snowfall and a few days to let things settle we caught the first lift up GM with it in our sights.

Myself and Tom were only carrying one aluminium axe each which made the short icy step at the bottom a little tricky to climb, its worth taking a second axe for this if you plan on going. We initaly planned to jump past this on the descent but without a good take off its not really possible to clear the rocky section and we soon changed our plans to using the rope.

We had a bit of a tough time getting to the top with deep boot packing and not the best fitness! It was worth the effort however and we got to ski some good compact powder in the short but asthetic couloir, just about making it back to the car in the light.

Tom and Brendan climbing the lower part of the couloir, Les Courtes and Droites in the background.

Brendan and Tom nearing the top of the couloir, with Mont Dolent in the background.

Brendan and Tom happy to finally be on the summit.

Tom skiing in the upper part of the couloir.

Brendan just after the split in the Y.

Tom just after the split in the Y.

Ben in the Lower couloir.

Ben in the lower couloir.