With caution, Simon Akam undertakes a trial run of the Patrouille des Glaciers and embraces the highs and lows of taking risks
Just before 1:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I stood just below the summit of Rosablanche, a 3,336-metre peak in the Swiss canton of Valais. The day was clear, and on the horizon to the southeast stood the Matterhorn, the 4,478-metre peak that overshadows the resort of Zermatt. From this angle the peak did not show its most pyramidal side – as featured on cases of Caran d’Ache colouring pencils. Instead the mountain, 25 straight-line kilometres away, presented a different, hunchback aspect.
the mountains. From Arolla we climbed up the Glacier de Pièce toward the Vignettes Hut, a refuge at 3,160 m. Above: Route planning on a paper map. Below: A map on the Swiss avalanche avoidance app White Risk shows the Dix reservoir.During our descent too, as we came close to the hut, I saw that a serac, an ice cliff, had collapsed above the route, leaving a trail of debris down to our tracks. The guide explained that this route, while not somewhere to linger, was still the best option. The alternative was heavily crevassed.
That was the night before. At breakfast at 5:30 a.m., there were rumours of strange noises in the darkness. I never got entirely to the bottom of what happened, but our guide said later he’d heard that one of the kids had been found in the middle of the night, shivering outside the hut, in such a state that the staff considered a defibrillator, and instead called for a helicopter, which flew them out.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mahatma Gandhi statue at Simon Fraser University has head sawn off by vandalsBurnaby RCMP say the motivation for the vandalism isn\u0027t known, but other statues of the Indian icon have been defaced recently
Read more »
Police investigating beheading of Gandhi statue at Simon Fraser University - Terrace StandardBurnaby RCMP say power tool was likely used to remove head of bronze statue
Read more »
COMMENTARY: What will P.E.I. election candidates do to fix health care access and working conditions? | SaltWireSimon Torr, of Mount Buchanan, P.E.I., an advanced care paramedic who has had frontline experience in both rural and urban health-care delivery for over 30 ...
Read more »
Victoria interior designer Leslie Myers specializes in renovations - constructconnect.com - Daily Commercial NewsLeslie Myers took an indirect route to becoming a professional interior designer. “I’m originally from Winnipeg, and I studied environmental design with a major in architectural design at the University of Manitoba,” said Myers. “After graduating, I star
Read more »
Dust advisory in effect for Prince George'Levels tend to be highest around busy roads and industrial operations'
Read more »
New rules to curb predatory lending still leave many vulnerableOttawa tightens lending rules around the payday loan industry but experts say it’s not enough
Read more »