Doug Bryce Wrote:
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> p.s I have my own opinions on risk etc - but thats
> another debate...

We've all seen your pics before Doug! Your opinion on risk is "classic board game of world domination, but could do with a bit of an update" lol

Flypaper closed on Monday 10th April but I saw 3 heading down it and before you ask I was not one of them.

Is there still a shit load os snow up at gencoe. Cos im heading up there tomorrow to do a wee bit of hikeing

Me & fiona will be at Glencoe tomorrow.

Easy to spot, we'll have ice axes as we're hoping to do a bit of walking from the summit first.

Hi

I'm new to winter highland but not skiing at Glencoe - the best there is in Scotland - especially last weekend!

On the subject of the Flypaper always being closed; as skipyro pointed out - it isn't. It was open a lot in 2005. It has been shut all this year (so far) and for most of that time ski patrol have told me that was due to it being very rocky at the bottom and not properly filled in. Obviously not a problem (perhaps) if you're an expert skiier who can be guaranteed not to fall!?! Not so good for the 3 week 'expert' or for anyone who might wander onto it not aware of what they're getting themselves into. Last weekend it did have a 'Closed Avalanche Danger' sign at the top which hasn't been there before. If in doubt ask Ski Patrol - they're friendly enough.

Skiing East ridge and other bits near the Flypaper are officially 'Off Piste' and should be treated with respect, especially with a Grade 4 avalanche risk.

Chris

Thanks to Alan for including the short Glencoe Video
i sent him from the Epic last Sat8 Apr.
just found it in the pix from slopes section.
It is short but hopefully this shows what a cracker of a
scottish resort this is,with stunning scenery to rival anywhere
and helps to promote snowsports and inspires people to
come to Scotland for Ski-ing and Boarding.

Bob.

Was anyone wearing transceivers? 8ft x45ft is clearly large enough to lose a body in.

Does it look like any of the team involved had equipment other than their hands to deal with this situation?

yours Davie Paraffin

I dunno - transceivers don't dig for ye. Perhaps they should invest- sod the new ski's!

I find the differences between the US and the Alps with regards to crodssing ropes very interesting. in the US a closed run/roped off area is stictly no go or you will be fined.- but it does depend on the resorts policy.


In the Alps, the ropes are more of a nominal indicator. The ropes exist more as a warning than as a strict no entry sign. The other week I was in Alp D'Huez and ducked the ropes quite a few times: but always after stopping and making a decision. Some were closed due to ice- well I knew these runs couldn't be too bad considering the warmth at that time so I skiied them and they were perfectly safe. I skied one run (the canyon) the afertnoon before & because of the rain the fresh snow had become very wet and the snow was very heavy, it hadn't cooled down over night and so the next morning when I found the run closed I heeded the advice. In the afternoon a very large wet slab avalanche had run across it.
Then the rest of the week I was ducking ropes a lot, possibly foolishly following over people, but I knew the risks. This was skiing down closed runs and entering off-piste areas that weere roped off but looked and skiied safe. I even spotted some ski instructors leading groups of 8-14 year olds under the ropes. Hell, a couple of years ago at Les Arcs our guide made us croos the biggets array of avalcnhe warnings, ropes, and even fences to access the goods- the signs acting as warnings & deterients but not as a strict legal enforcement.

On the 2nd last day at Alp D' Hueze on top, on the glacier, conditions were crazy. A private power party with only 4-5 people and waist deep snow, but complete white out conditions. Avalanche danger must have been very high (the top run is a very steep black). But it was open & the dangers were far higher than any of my rope ducking earlier in the week. I fell once and started a small slid even. I was glad of my transciever but in the white-out no one would even see me go under.

Sometimes ducking the rope is actually safer than skiing an open run.



Anyway, i'm so pissed I missed the other weekend (I was darn sarth visiting relatives)- looks frigin amazing. Better conditions than I had in France alll week apart from the powder part i had (but that was in complete white out conditions).

HAd a great day in Glencoe on 14th, some of the best free-riding I have done in Scotland. Did see a member of staff going down the fly-paper while it was still roped off. Didnt follow but Was he assessing this or is it roped off for personal use?

Rarely do posts have to be actively moderated on this forum which is a good thing, but an increasing number have been deleted from this thread. Discuss the issues, but if personal attacks continue this thread will be locked.