In the previous issue, we saw how to better prepare your body, save your movements, and manage your effort to reach the summit with still some “juice” for the descent. Now it’s time for practice on the field! Making an efficient track, adapting your gestures to the slope and snow, mastering conversions, or gaining fluidity in transitions: so many small details that, when put together, save a lot of energy… and time. Here are all the keys to optimize your ascent.
From the parking lot to the summit, the meters go by, but they are not the same. At first, everything goes smoothly, or rather, everything slides! Then come the false flats, the slopes, the steeper inclines… on snow that also evolves. To progress effectively, the key words are: observe, anticipate, and adapt. Each terrain has its own way of moving forward, each situation its technique. Here are the keys to choosing the most effective technique according to the conditions.
SUMMARY
STARTING POINT: READING THE TERRAIN
ADAPTING YOUR GESTURES TO THE TERRAIN
THE ART OF CHANGING DIRECTION
TRANSITIONS: DON’T LOSE TIME… OR YOUR SKIS!
CARRYING
CRAMPONS & ICE AXES
STARTING POINT: READING THE TERRAIN
Before making the track, let’s take a look at the map! Snow-weather bulletin, orientations, slope inclinations, all elements to study to define the route at home. On site, you will have to confront this scenario with the conditions of the day to choose the safest and least exposed route. Never blindly follow existing tracks: just because someone went that way doesn’t mean it was a good idea!
With the safety point made, let’s get to the heart of the matter! Making
