Reasonable Skiing, non-Reserve Chutes? & Renewed Shoulder
Empty!
Back on skis today…and it was just fine. Just what we needed. We stayed locally, because of the Doc appointment later, but considering we haven’t had much if any snow over the last few days, the snow quality was surprisingly good. We were expecting it to be a lot more scratchy than it was. It seemed there may well have been snow flurries that secretly arrived overnight, as the pistes were covered in a fresh layer (although a bit thin in places) of fresh powdery type of snow, not the exquisite stuff but a pleasant amount to make the skiing pleasurable. It was quiet on the pistes today, so did a few leisurely runs, nothing to frantic, just pleasurable and not too demanding. Off piste, it was hard and crunchy and it felt like some shock absorbers would have been a very welcome fixture on the skis, so I decided to stay on piste and keep the flow smoother. Dennis on the other hand being a glutton for punishment, just had to complete an off piste run…. wish I was that stubborn. Quite a good characteristic I’d say!
Anyway, later in the day, the trip to the Docs was the next major event, and thankfully, it was more of a non-event! – After casting his professional eyes over my x-rays the conclusion was… no surgery required. That was good to hear, really didn’t fancy that idea at all. Have managed to avoid surgery this far in my life, and would very much like to continue the trend. Apparently, the probability was that I did have a lesion, in my scapulaire muscle, and it healed leaving a little scar tissue that causes the odd discomfort, and slight inflammation so a couple of injections and a bit of physiotherapy is all that’s required. That’s it… simple! So fighting fit hopefully for the coming season. Great!
Here’s another bit of interesting information, I was having a scout about on the internet and came across a video showing the possibility or the crazy idea of landing a wingsuit without a reserve parachute! Thought wow this should be interesting…and it was. Will it become a reality? who knows?? Have a look if you’re interested, it’s in the vids in the right hand menu.
X(ray)perience, & Working Windsock
Well more of the same, down valley today. High pressure clagg and an inversion. We couldn’t really do anything much, as I had an appointment at the Radiographie Department in Sallanches Hospital. No big deal, just a spike/needle poked deep into my shoulder with some serum/fluid stuff pumped in to see if I’ve got a real problem, or if it’s all in the realms of my vivid imagination! I’ve had a niggling ache that comes and goes in my shoulder for over a year, it’s nothing a 400mg tab of Neurofen wont cure, but Dennis decided that as soon as it became uncomfortable to do the ironing! it was time to go and get it sorted, he’s so thoughtful like that!!
Anyway, after a trip to the local Sports Doc, to check out the Epaule, and all it’s workings, it seems there may be a minor problem. So upon professional advise, it was arranged that I have a proper and thorough x-ray and scan. I’ve never had such an indepth x-ray or scan experience in my life before. It wasn’t a terrifying ordeal, quite interesting really, just didn’t like the look of the harpoon much! Have got to say, I feel I’m in really safe hands and am quite happy to go along with whatever is recommended. The Doc suspects, I may have a lesion in my Scauplaire muscle, but it is difficult to detect without the necessary photography. It’s strange really because it doesn’t interfere with my life much at all, but they are great when it comes to medical prevention. A problem that may appear insignificant to me, was taken seriously enough to deal with, as they are of the exceptional opinion that what may seem insignificant now could very well contribute to further deterioration in the future so they nip it in the bud so to speak. Hopefully I’ll only need some physiotherapy to deal with the problem, but all will be revealed soon enough.
We’ll see how it goes on Wednesday, when I have my next consultation with the Sports Doc. This time I take my scans xrays and cd rom with all the pics on…just had a quick peek, quite scarey! The negative paper type xrays look ok, (I can handle those) but on the cd rom… well the detail is incredible!! made me feel quite ill… had to stop looking!
It was a strange feeling in my arm afterwards it felt like plastecine all heavy and bendy, quite funny, made me chuckle a bit! felt like a bit of a cartoon like the bendy guy’s limb in ‘The Incredibles’ !
I think I hurt my shoulder slightly just trying to pick up my parasack fully loaded and swinging it onto my shoulder… just that action of bending my arm quite far back beyond maybe where it was designed to go may have been enough to cause the discomfort.
Working Windsock
Looking over towards Plaine Joux there were about two gliders flying neither were above launch, one was maintaining quite well, but that was about all. Flying seems to be happening in the UK just now, it’s looking really great over there. Some really good flights are being had.
I took a picture of our new windsock on the roof early this evevning, it’s a nice bright one this time, (although you can’t see how bright unless you enlarge the image a bit). The last one was ‘roof coloured’ and quite difficult to see until you were almost on top of it!! I think the colour drained over time…
Dennis had one transfer this evening, whilst I took it easy. As the weather kept improving later in the day, we’re hoping it will continue to do so into tomorrow, there is a possibility it may be a bit windy, but we’ll see in the morning. It’d be good to do something, here’s hoping.
Windspeeds Chill
Windspeeds gusting upto 72 km/h
Windchill -19°C
To windy to fly, to bitterly cold to ski.
Night Skiing
The weather returned to it’s winter character, rain/sleet/snow at varying levels. I’ve got my newly adjusted harness back, and it feels great! can’t wait to fly it now. My parasack is packed and ready to go! All we need now is some flyable weather. It’s looking hopeful for tomorrow, so fingers crossed.
Night Boarding
As the ski season is slowly beginning to wind down we thought we’d make the most of what we can, so decided to go up to Les Houches this evening, and do a bit of night skiing. Les Houches is about 1000 mtrs asl so there was still lots of snow up there, it’s definately still winter at higher altitude. The piste opens up at 20:30 , it’s all free and they lay on some ‘vin chaud’ just to keep us all snuggly warm. It was fun… loads of snowboarders doing jumps and what not. It’s a different take on skiing altogether at night, it’s just a shame the moon wasn’t out. Beautiful, in the snow on a moonlit night…
Picture’s a bit dark, don’t think I had the camera on the right setting 
Flying, Alterations and Frustrations!
An interesting day, as it turns out. As the flying season nears, it’s all preparation for me. I did a bit of harness dangling from the rig to check out how everything worked and if I could make any improvements or adjustments. As it happens there were a few minor adjustments that could be made so we went for a little outing to see Denis Cortella.
- My Lovely Wing!
I’m harnessless at the moment as my harness is now in the very capable, creative and masterful hands of Denis whilst he works his magic. Hopefully I’ll get it back in the next couple of days, tailored as only he knows how!
The weather was a bit windy in the valley, but it dropped considerably, and on the way back from Denis’ it looked flyable, I could see Dennis chomping at the bit! so offered to drive him on this occassion, as I was harnessless… (drat!) We got up to launch, and saw Mathieu Vermiel up there, he had quite a good flight getting an unusually good climb all in one thermal. Congratulations were in order as he did so well in Columbia, and was describing what a beautiful place it was, no tourism, relatively still undiscovered, very lush, friendly people, it really did sound lovely. About the competition, he said there were about 40 odd good pilots, so he felt he’d done well, (brilliantly, I would say!) but he did say Denis was the best!!
Dennis was getting himself ready, as I was gassing to Mathieu, and then I noticed, he’d got MY GLIDER! what was he doing with ‘my glider!’ well it turns out we somehow managed to get the bags mixed up, but he’d already got it laid out and attached to his harness, there was nothing I could do… I have to say, I was a bit miffed to say the least! I do tend to worry unnecessarily about stretching lines and whatnot, what with Dennis’ weight compared to mine… (being so small, it’s not easy getting things to fit, so I try to keep things as fitting as possible) anyway, he flew my glider, and had a really enviable flight. Dennis seems to think he did me a favour in setting the lines to their full length, and tightening the larks foot connections… well maybe, but maybe I was just fed up because I would have loved to have flown my own glider… thankyou very much! I’m beginning to sound like a right cantankerous old biddy these days, maybe I just need my flying fix?? just left feeling a bit frustrated… o well, soon…
Anyway, it is a lovely glider, and looked beautiful in the air… regardless. I do like it so….
More pics in the gallery.
Springy Skiing
A Very Busy Bettex Mid-Station
Apparently, it’s the first day of Spring today! It certainly felt like it here. Really warm, one of those gorgeous Alpine Winter/Spring Sun days. Although, still struggling, we just couldn’t miss not going out, so we managed just a couple of runs. I really felt tired afterwards though, especially with the altitude and having had a bunged up head… but it wasn’t too bad, just felt a bit niggly, and bad tempered! Especially with people who carry their ski poles so they are poking out behind them, when making their way to the ‘bins’ or climbing upstairs or whatever. It makes me really disgruntled, the last thing any of us want’s is to be impaled on someones ski pole!! You can always tell ’visitors’ when they don’t carry their ski poles with any consideration or etiquette! ok, rant over.
On the slopes we really had to be aware of ‘out of control’ skiers – When I was a beginner, I can remember thinking how brilliant these skiers must be going at such a frantic speed, until I learned that the majority were completely out of control! It’s great tearing up the pistes, but the speed comes naturally when control is obtained. When we see, the experts skiing at incredible speeds, the control is absolutely pristine, the body balance is solid and unmoving, and that is a marvel to see. For us, well me anyway, I didn’t feel particularly strong, and not quite up to scratch, so after a couple of runs we were both ready to go home. We did want to do the Mt. Rossett run, but unfortunately, the Poma we usually take was out of action so we didn’t have any choice but to ski the long green down to a very busy Bettex mid-station. It was a bit of a shame really, because Mt. Rossett is quite sheltered so the snow quality may well have been better over there. As it was, the snow was quite scratchy in most areas but we could pick out the good bits down the edges so we made the most of it. Still we got out, and hopefully will again tomorrow. The forecast was very good, we had what was expected, a nice bit of sunshine this afternoon. This evening, more precipitation is forecast so maybe some more snow up high… for skiing, it would be nice. However, looking across to Plaine Joux launch, there were some very attractive, enticing looking clouds forming…. not long now…vario is on charge…!! – Also, the windsock on our roof has been ravaged by the winter, it’s all shredded, and looking torn up and miserable, no problem though, I’ve just heard some tell tale footsteps on the roof, a new windsock is going up! – Ready for our flights back home… 
I’ve uploaded my miniscule skilog, just to check out the long run back to a very busy Bettex Mid-station, and to check my snail pace, although, I was pleased with the little I did. A little is better than non at all, and my pace was better than expected.
