May 1, 2011

Y Couloir, Aiguille d'Argentiere

Late April, I teamed up with Guilhem Martin Saint Leon to ski the Couloir en Y, a steep and very asthetic line from the summit of the Aiguille d'Argentiere. Despite the warm temperatures and lack of precipitation that was predominant for much of April, we found the couloir to be well filled in with mostly excellent snow.

Skiing perfect powder off the summit.

Dropping into the right hand entrance, the slope starts off at 50 degrees.

The snow was consistent and rippable.

No tracks, the Y is ours for the taking.

Interesting natural halfpipe feature.

Excellent powder in the lower couloir allowed for big freeride turns.

The line ends with a mandatory 25m rappel over an ice section.

By Tom Grant

Photos by Tom Grant and Guilhem Martin Saint Leon