Description

A short hike leads to this incredible run.

Steep up high and open in the lower it simply begs you open up full throttle.

Start as for the Vallee Noire via Glacier du Geant - From the Helbronner head out left along to the Col des Flambeaux.

From the col traverse left towards the Aiguille de Toule and down the steeper pitch to its right.

The Line starts here.

On the plateau below the north side of the Aiguille de Toule put on you skins etc and head up left to the Col d'Entreves.

Here you usually need to put on crampons and get your axe to climb the first section of the south ridge.

When you meet a steep rock step traverse this on the right, rope sometimes useful.

Traverse at this height further right until the whole east face opens out below you.

Get your skis back on and ski the steep face below pulling to the left as ridge divides the terrain below.

The second half of the face opens back out to your left is slightly lower angled and with a more NE aspect often holds exceptional snow.

Ski down onto the glacier below and rejoin the Toule Glacier line.

Beware the approach requires skins and covers crevassed terrain.

You are on a glacier so make sure you are equipped, prepared and have practised crevasse rescue, however unlikely you think falling in a crevasse is- it is possible! A minimum would be each person to have harness, axe, crampons, an ice screw, 3 prussiks, several screwgates, a pulley/DMM Revolver karabiner, a couple of slings and 2 30m ropes in the group.

A more modern simple solution substituting for many of the above might be 2 Petzl RAD systems in the group.

If you have any doubts about this ski with an IFMGA Mountain Guide.