Nikolay Primerov

28.2.12

Amazing powder at Les Mosses

Just a few weekends ago we had an amazing day of skiing with my friend Riis. Even though we had a late start (around 9.00) we could get an amazing runs in 1 m of fresh powder. We did three short but steep runs in the forest with Arash and his friend, whom we meet on the way up. At the end of the day we quickly run up to the top of Pic Chaussy. On the way up close to Lac Lioson we saw some winter divers sitting and drinking beer in their diving suites. The way up was not so long, but I was getting tiered after intense skiing in the forest. It was already getting late and the avalanche danger this day was 3 out of 5. Taking this into account Riis proposed to me to ski down the north face of Pic Chaussy. Without long hesitation we decided to give it a shot, even though no one dared to ski it this day before us. We skied down a couple of meters on the north-west ridge to pass the rocky section of the face. Riis traversed from the ridge directly to the middle of the face and waved to me saying everything is fine and that I can follow him. At the beginning I was a little bit stressed since it was quite steep. After few turns I could relaxed and enjoy skiing on the untouched powder. At the base of the face I saw Riis fulminantly flying down the face in two big curves. It was an amazing run! We finished such an awesome day sitting at nice restaurant with a glass of beer having typical swiss meal and enjoying warm rays of the sunset.

Already imaging how it will be nice to ski this powder

Views

Winter diving

Ready for another descent.

View

Only our tracks!

Riis

On the top of Pic Chaussy

View from the Pic Chaussy

Riis already thinking about descent on the north face

View from the top of Pic Chaussy

Riis traversing the face

Our tracks!

2.2.12

Weekend in Cham

Last weekend my friend Sam organized an amazing weekend in Argentière. He invited bunch of his friends, including me to a huge chalet in the heart of Argentière. Even though weather was not perfect these two days were saturated with activities. On Saturday it was really cloudy and snowy, so we decided to try skiing. After several runs about the forest line completely in the clouds we decided to sky a bit lower. Aanoud, Alex and me did one run in the forest from Lognan station without knowing where are we going. In the beginning it was really fun, but closer to the piste we realized that forest gradually becomes very steep slope with some bushes. After some time we could finally manage to find a way to the piste. After several runs we found very nice powder in the forest and finished this day with some nice runs.

Just nice

Alex and Aanoud preparing for descent

It was steep and nice

There is no lack of snow

On Sunday weather was much better, so Olov Issakson, Jon Griffith and me decided to climb Flame Libra - dry tooling route close to the base of the Argentiere glacier at the sector Blade Stadium. This route was climbed by Jeff Mercier first time not so long time ago. Fortunately Jon knows where it is, so we didn't spend too much time finding the right place to start. The route was graded M6, but I found it a bit harder. Maybe due to the fact that you have to place your own protection. Anyway it was nice climbing, with nice fall by Jon ripping off first nut and hanging 2 m below the belay station. We could top up the route and ski down enjoying the nice sunset. Thanks again to Sam and Oliver who organized everything.

Jon finishing the second pitch

Me on the third station

On the other side of the valley

Argentiere glacier

On top

Olov climbing the last pitch

Jon testing his new ice axes

26.1.12

Ordinary morning!

For what do you have time in the morning before going to work??? Probably, to have a breakfast, maybe to shave!! Not so exciting! Today my friends, Sean, Miguel, and me could do a short ski tour! Isn't it amazing?! Where else in the World you can do this?!? Weather was just perfect and snow conditions as well! Just a few pictures from my shit mobile phone, which can't transmit all this amazing atmosphere!

Miguel on the way up

Preparing for descent

Sean. I don't know what he is doing there! )

I don't know if you can see something... there should be our tracks! )

10.1.12

Ice Climbing Festival Kandersteg 2012

This weekend was the weekend of the 13th Ice Climbing Festival in Kandersteg. I have mixed feelings about this year festival. I still don't know if it was organized good or bad. On one hand routes were so simple and straightforward, that you don't need any experience at all to climb it. This was probably the main disappointment for experienced climbers, who expected to climb long hard routes, with some figure 4s and so on. But on the other hand it was easier for the new comers to test what is dry tooling. Moreover time for climbing the route was very limited, and this made it very similar to speed climbing. One of the cons about speed climbing is that you don't need to wait for your turn to climb too long and it is also more spectacular for audience. In addition there was presentation from Ueli Steck about how to climb mountains fast and light! ) So maybe this was the idea of organizers!!! :) Climbers just need to know how to climb fast!!! Anyway, I was really impressed by presentation of Ueli Steck "Speed Himalaya" as well as by presentation "Spray On!" (Tim Emmett and Will Gadd). These guys know how to reach their goals. The culmination of the Festival was definitely unforgettable party, where Markus and Jack showed what is real striptease. At the end I want to thank Denise and all my friends who came with me and without whom this party wouldn't be so awesome. Also special thanks for coming goes to Russian team: Anna Galyamova, Vova Belousov, and Sergey Zheludkov. Hope to see all of them in Saas-Fee. For the moment just few pictures from phone.

Results:

Men:
1. Patrik Aufdenblatten (SUI)
2. Markus Bendler (AUT)
3. Nikolay Primerov (RUS/SUI)

Women:
1.Petra Klingler (SUI)
2.Perta Muller (SUI)
3. Lucie Hrozova (CZE)
4. Felicitas Feller (SUI)