UKC

First time in the alps this year and a snow arete was something completely new to me. Can someone explain the logic of walking one side or the other and the reason for switching sides/walking straight along the top.

In reply to mysterion:

Generally you'd walk on the windward side low enough down the slope to limit the risk of falling through the cornice ie at a level where you hope there is solid rock directly below you.

You'd not want to walk on the lea side as there might be the danger of the cornice falling on your head and the cornice may become a formidable obstacle if you need to regain the crest.

You might walk on the crest if there is no cornice as this allows a chance of jumping into Italy if your partner falls into France.

In reply to JLS:


I have never had to do this yet, and don't really want to. I guess you never know if you will actually jump until it comes up and you decide to live