Respect
20th March 2011
Met two snowboarders walking up the Coire Ardair path today all geared up with soft boots and shouldering single boards (not split).
Their plan was for something steepish and so proceeded to ascend towards the Min Window from the main drag one step at a time through wet deep snow. They were well-clued up avalanche wise and had decided on a descent down a south aspect but weren’t sure which particular line (or which corrie, for that matter).
Anyway, didn’t see their descent but there were some fine looking tracks down Coire Chriochairein’s steep south-facing backwall later. A great choice: no cornice; the right gear (snowboard) which was perfect in the wet, deep snow, keeping away from the less stable snow on nearby SE aspects. The right tools in the right place at the right time, and excellent decision making.
I calculated 5km up hill (700m of vertical), about 4-5 minutes in descent then 4km back to the car park….in their soft boots…….shouldering their snowboards. These people are dedicated to their sport!
Total respect.
(Apologies for lack of photos – batteries died)
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