Читать книгу Alpine Ski Mountaineering Vol 1 - Western Alps - Bill O'Connor - Страница 9

FOREWORD

After Fridtjof Nansen crossed Greenland at the end of the 19th century, his epic adventure provided the inspiration for many of the great ski journeys that followed. Although he was not a ski mountaineer his words, inspired by experience, capture the essence of ski travel: ‘Is it such a deplorable fate to dash off like the wind…over a boundless expanse of ice… skis glid[ing] over the smooth surface so you scarcely know you are touching the earth? This is more, indeed, than anyone has any right to expect of life; it is a fairy tale from another world, from a life to come.’

There are few aspects of mountaineering as demanding and enjoyable as ski touring – it is not surprising, therefore, that it is becoming increasingly popular with skiers and mountaineers alike. As Sir Arnold Lunn, the father of Alpine ski racing observed: ‘Ski-mountaineering is no mere variation of mountaineering. It is the result of the marriage of two great sports, mountaineering and skiing.’

The reasons for the increasing popularity of ski mountaineering appear obvious to those who have done it. Foremost, there seems to be a desire on the part of skiers to find adventure away from crowded slopes and well-groomed snow. One can find deep satisfaction in developing and displaying the skill, independence and effort needed to enjoy the hidden heart of mountains where solitude, beauty, adventure and sheer enjoyment prevail. Surely this is the perfect antidote to modern living. Also important has been the development of modern ski equipment and clothing. These have definitely made off-piste skiing and mountain touring both more enjoyable and potentially safer.

I have long been of the opinion that any mountaineer unable to travel freely and safely in the high mountains during the months they are under a blanket of snow, and that, by definition, means on skis, is really an incomplete mountaineer. It is worth remembering that the Alps are, more or less, snowbound from November to June, and those unable to ski are virtually excluded from their heart for all but three months of the summer Alpine season.

This guide contains a selection of alpine high-level ski routes. There are other Alpine ski-routes out there, scores of them. I've had to leave out the odd personal favourite from this selection and I've undoubtedly left out whole areas that offer superb touring. Perhaps the most deserving cases will one day appear in a third volume. The routes described can also be varied to make them longer, shorter or more or less demanding. The skier able to take on these challenges, though, should have no difficulty adapting the routes I've described to meet their ability and ambition.

As every writer knows, and as Arnold Lunn wisely wrote, ‘Guidebooks merely describe the skeleton, leaving the memory to clothe it with romance.’ That said, the mountain lover who completes these routes will, by any yardstick, have a comprehensive knowledge of the High Alps and can be regarded as a well travelled and complete Alpine ski mountaineer. Good touring.

Bill O'Connor, International Mountain and Ski Guide, Cumbria.

The magnificent panorama of skiable 4000ers above Zermatt, including Lyskamm, Castor, Pollux and the Breithorn