Guide Yannick
Photo © Pascal Boulgakow

climbing
Photo © Pascal Boulgakow

FY07, Access and Manta - Ozone Snowkite Range 2007
Photo © Pascal Boulgakow

Access2 for 2007
Photo © Pascal Boulgakow

the Manta - Chasta style kite
Photo © Pascal Boulgakow

Yannick first day snowkiting
Photo © Pascal Boulgakow

Tom reports from his trip to the Mt. Blanc where they went to for a fotoshooting for the NEW Ozone Snowkite Range 07.

“Monday 4th of September, I am to meet Laurent and Boulgy at the motorway’s peage on the way to Chamonix. Our goal is to find the Itinerary to try to ascend the Mont Blanc with a kite. The program is simple, we are going to kite at the col du Midi to acclimatise. For the two days we will be with Yannick, a guide, who was unlucky enough to use a kite a couple of weeks before!

The weather forecast is forecasting a light breeze coming from the west, lightening off. High pressure conditions are starting to arrive.

We head straight for the aiguille du Midi. First frights, roped up, crampons on, and ice axe in hand, we have to descend a, 50cm wide, ridge with a direct view of Chamonix 2500m below!!Sensations guarantied! After having listened to Yannick’s advice, we get our kites up and kite for hours. A light westerly let’s us explore this plateau at 3500m. Yannick who has only done a couple of hour’s kiting is already starting to do his first tacks. He get’ taken a bit down wind, but after an hour he can go where he wants!

The wind drops and we decide to go to the refuge des Cosmiques, a tress star hotel at 3600m! A great meal is waiting for us. I start to feel the effects of altitude. A couple of aspirins will help me get to the end! After a magnificent sunset, we get into bed, a big chunk awaits us tomorrow.

We get up around 5 o’clock, a quick breakfast, and here we are ready, for to attack the Tacul. An ascent of around 3h between the seracs brings us to the second spot: The col du Tacul at 4000m dominated by the Mt Maudit! The feeling is fantastic. We unpack our kites for a one hour session but unluckily the wind drops.

We start the descent. Three hours later we are back at the car!

One thing is certain ,…the steepness and the exposed faces, the necessary engagement will not allow the ascension of the mt Blanc by kite. Beware, evolving in high mountains requires a maximum of precautions. To start with, never go to the glacier without a guide, there are loads of invisible traps!!!! Then equip yourselves for it, remember the factor 2000 sun cream. And last but not least do not overestimate yourself, and don’t forget the exhaustion due to the lack of oxygen!

Cheers Tom “

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