CHAM'LINES #3 - Season 2
 The northern couloir 
of the Horns of Loriaz

Facing complex conditions that inhibited his freedom to venture anywhere (the wind picked up at high altitudes), Aurélien opted for the Red Needles massif, where one trail has long challenged him. Accompanied by Adrien Coirier (the talented skier from Les Arcs and two-time winner of the American pro freeriding circuit in 2006 and 2007) who shared his best years of competition with Aurélien, and Brice Bouillanne, a high-mountain guide, he set out for the Horns of Loriaz for the third episode of season 2!

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The video may be stored on server on demand.

For further information, please contact Pauline at:  pauline@linkscom.fr or at +33 (0)4 50 91 41 08.

To download the HD pictures,
click on it !

Aurélien Ducroz’s explanations...

Vallorcine, 6:30 a.m., time for us to put on our skins and begin the 1500 meter-ascent. An intense morning workout for ordinary mortals is only a warm-up to Adrien Coirier, who has really taken to his new status as a freehiker..  http://communitytouringclub.com/adrien-coirier-tinvite-au-big-updown/  

After an hour and a half climbing through the forest, we reached the Loriaz chalet, where we closely examined the mountainside that interested us: A magnificent couloir 700m long and 2.5m wide, carved into the middle of the rock. The only drawback was that the slight slope that began the trail might not be very stable. We'll check once we're there.
 
With observations complete, and the heat growing stronger, we swiftly departed for an hour and a half of hiking to the refuge of the mountain pass before crossing on foot to the couloir to avoid hitting stones.

Confident in our observation, we took all the precautions needed to enter the couloir. After installing a dead weight, the end of the slope seemed stable enough at last. Off we go! Four hours of climbing gave way to 5 minutes of joy!

With a 50 to 55° grade in a narrow couloir (2m wide), the first part was quite lively, though the snow crust didn't make it easy for us. The bottom of the couloir was rocky, so we took a fork to the right. The snow conditions were not exceptional but the magnificent setting made it worthwhile.

To close the session on a fun note, we went back up to the Loriaz chalet for a bite to eat. The beauty and sights of this couloir, which seems to never have been travelled, make this third episode an epic!!!

In summary: A big, beautiful trail in a magical setting that was worth a four-hour climb. A great run for a mountain native, says Adrien Coirier!

NORTHERN COULOIR OF THE HORNES OF LORIAZ
Start altitude: 2750 meters
Finish altitude: 2000 meters
Descent of corridor: 750 meters
Orientation: North by northeast

Next episode of Cham’Lines : Friday March 6

To download the HD pictures, click on it !