Alpental, Nov 18.

An unskiable Phantom made us decide to forego any attempts at the Crooked Couloir until later in the winter. However, a quick decision in the Alpental parking lot based on the inviting looking skin track leading up Sessel led us to, instead, attempt the dangerous and little-skied Upper International, a long, winding pitch approaching 45 degrees at its steepest. Phil was sure that, as a result of the even less-known Snow-Lake Effect, there would surely be knee deep powder in the aforementioned International. I was skeptical, but I decided to give it a go.

An uneventful skin up, taking the often-maligned Kante variation on the approach (see recent thread in Randon Tracks), got us to the top in about an hour and a half. We had reached our goal. The only question remaining was: How deep would the Snow-Lake Effect powder be? The answer, 5-7 millemeters, if not more!

International, true to its reputation, was marvellous, not unsimilar to a fine wine; a subtle bouquet that tempted the senses, slight undertones of huckleberry and fir, an aftertaste hinting of minerals, and a buttery finish. All in all, it appeared to have all the makings of a fine vintage. Sessel, on the other hand, can only be described as swill; a bouquet as pungent as my armpit, undertones rough and uneven, the finish watery, a wine that clearly needs more work before it even approaches pallatable.