Alpine Logistics

Last Saturday we woke to brilliant sunshine and a terse blue sky…the mountains beckoned. We departed from Stafal, at the head of the Gressoney valley. It was bustling with people of all nationalities walking in jolts in their ski boots.

Civilisation began to slip away as we walked east into Vallone della Salsa. All I could here was the cheerful song of an optimistic bird and the gurgle of a nearby stream. Gaining height the snow deepened and it was time to put on our snowshoes. This valley is a well known off-piste descent and we could see a few of the characteristic tight descent curves, but doubted that many people had done it this year. The valley floor has very little snow cover and you would have to walk the last few kilometres with your skis over your shoulders.

We trudged up and up. We were heading for Colle della Salsa, which at 3000m was just over 1000m above our departure point on the valley floor. The views onto Monte Rosa and the other nearby mountains were breathtaking; they basked in the sun like kings on a golden throne. It’s so revitalising to leave the chaos of everyday life and escape into this world of giants…anything seems possible on days like this.

The going became tough during the final steeper part of the ascent; the snow didn’t allow us to maintain a steady rhythm. One step onto hard compact snow could be followed by another plunging you in knee deep, but our efforts were rewarded and by 13.30 we were hungrily devouring our freshly baked bread rolls and leftover chicken from the night before.