Wednesday 31 January 2007

Snowbound magic wood

Rest day today. Got up late, had nothing in so went into town for cash and patticere. Got some shopping and headed back to flat. Thinking about brione or magic wood. Was so warm outside figured magic could be good. Got all excited about Octopussy and or pt2 and jumped in the car with a flask full of coffee. And james. Beautiful scenery on way to san bernardino, very snowy. Turned off for avers and parked at the gasthaus, which was shut. The old bunkhouse has been demolished and there were no signs of life in the village at all. Walked down to the bridge and crossed to the blocs in heavy snow. Walked right through to the Bruno, but to be honest everything was wet and that which wasn't was covered in verglass. A lot of it wasn't recognisable and it was hard work and somewhat teacherous getting around. Made it to the Bruno bloc and cote du was icy, but pt2 felt good! I was cold though and hadn't brought stuff, plus landing was death! There are still pads hidden away up there though, but figured would save strength as have felt achey today.

Given the option of slithering back through the blocs or taking the wire of death, I zipped across the wire. James decided on the path. This may have been the more sensible choice, as I slogged up the frozen snow slope it became apparent that the prospect of failure was high and the consequences even higher. When you get to the top of the path in summer, you have to mantel the side of the road and pull on the crash barrier to get out, this is hard when there's 3 inches of frozen snow and your hands are numb. Had to warm them up sufficiently to be able to feel, then managed to wedge foot in a hole in the wall and undercut the side of the road (no snow!) enough to get stood up. Then I could get the barrier and get onto the road. A sigh of relief!

Waited for james at the top and took down the details for the new bunkhouse. James had done new base line and piranja in his trainers on the walk back through the forest. Inspirational stuff. Wish I could have seen it to be honest. Apparently there was snow in the new base log crack which he had to clear with his free hand on the ascent. Waddage.

Sacked it to thusis for a hot chocolate, then drove back to claro for tea and a beer. Tomorrow, cresciano. Going to look at Franks wild years, dt stand and Kirk windtain. Possibly also la boule but splits not good, and that one is sharp.

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