This couloir may actually be a good alternative for those wanting to avoid the crevassed glacier parts - as it was the case for me when I was there solo at the end of Aug. 2008. Of course if it is possible or not depends strongly on the actual conditions, but I found it quite feasible even at that late date of the year - see the pic I attached to this page (actually I didn't make it to the Fuorcla because I was very slow and would have had to redescend only in the afternoon, furthermore from the vantage point where I returned - the beginning of the narrow section - the last 10 meters or so appeared nearly vertical, and I was not equipped for that). But I'm sure that many times a year conditions are favorable to go the couloir, if one is strong enough to pass it off the reel.
Another point is that I guess it is also possible to go from Plan Mezdi directly over scree slopes to Fuorcla dal Cunfin, thus avoiding the mentioned crevasses of La Cudera glacier (see this pic).
reinhard2 - Feb 8, 2009 4:48 pm - Voted 9/10
South couloir to Fuorcla BuinThis couloir may actually be a good alternative for those wanting to avoid the crevassed glacier parts - as it was the case for me when I was there solo at the end of Aug. 2008. Of course if it is possible or not depends strongly on the actual conditions, but I found it quite feasible even at that late date of the year - see the pic I attached to this page (actually I didn't make it to the Fuorcla because I was very slow and would have had to redescend only in the afternoon, furthermore from the vantage point where I returned - the beginning of the narrow section - the last 10 meters or so appeared nearly vertical, and I was not equipped for that). But I'm sure that many times a year conditions are favorable to go the couloir, if one is strong enough to pass it off the reel.
Another point is that I guess it is also possible to go from Plan Mezdi directly over scree slopes to Fuorcla dal Cunfin, thus avoiding the mentioned crevasses of La Cudera glacier (see this pic).