{"id":651,"date":"2017-04-17T09:21:18","date_gmt":"2017-04-17T15:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=651"},"modified":"2020-01-29T16:07:02","modified_gmt":"2020-01-29T23:07:02","slug":"caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountaineering in Chamonix: The Human Element"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class=\"x-entry-share\" ><p>Share this Post<\/p><div class=\"x-share-options\"><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651&amp;t=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element', 'popupFacebook', 'width=650, height=270, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-facebook-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf082;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" onclick=\"window.open('https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651', 'popupTwitter', 'width=500, height=370, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-twitter-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf081;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on LinkedIn\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651&amp;title=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element&amp;summary=In+the+past+month+spent+mountaineering+in+Chamonix%2C+I+have+watched+skiers+tumble+off+cliffs%2C+tomahawk+out+of+icy+couloirs%2C+and+whip+into+crevasses.+I%E2%80%99ve+been+told+that+if+I+decided+to+rappel+over+a+group+that+they+would+%E2%80%9Ccut+me%E2%80%9D%2C+and+I%E2%80%99ve+been+tangled+up+with+impatient+guides+trying+do+the+same+on+alpine+climbing+pitches+and+glaciers.+I%E2%80%99ve+...+%3Cdiv%3E%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fcaution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element%2F%22+class%3D%22more-link%22%3ERead+More%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E&amp;source=Voile', 'popupLinkedIn', 'width=610, height=480, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-linkedin-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf08c;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Pinterest\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F10%2Flesrappel-copy.jpg&amp;description=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element', 'popupPinterest', 'width=750, height=265, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-pinterest-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf0d3;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Reddit\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651', 'popupReddit', 'width=875, height=450, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-reddit-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf1a2;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element&amp;body=Hey, thought you might enjoy this! Check it out when you have a chance: https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\/\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share email\" title=\"Share via Email\"><span><i class=\"x-icon-envelope-square\" data-x-icon-s=\"&#xf199;\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<p>In the past month spent mountaineering in Chamonix, I have watched skiers tumble off cliffs, tomahawk out of icy couloirs, and whip into crevasses. I\u2019ve been told that if I decided to rappel over a group that they would \u201ccut me\u201d, and I\u2019ve been tangled up with impatient guides trying do the same on alpine climbing pitches and glaciers. I\u2019ve been shouldered out of the way on a ridge traverse. And one time there was even a techno rave getting started at the top of our climb (the legendary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unlimited-festival.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chamonix Unlimited Festival<\/a>).<span class=\"picture left\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_652\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-652\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-652\" src=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-1489x993.jpg 1489w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-1438x959.jpg 1438w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons-1064x710.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bossons.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-652\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Working our way up Mont Blanc, across the Bossons Glacier<br \/>to the Grands Mulets Hut.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I\u2019ve watched numerous high risk helicopter rescues go down for both friends and strangers, making me worried about the outcomes, all while trying not to think about and it to stay focused on my own day. There\u2019s no doubt a little chaos can make it tough on confidence and keeping your own program together.<\/p>\n<p>Skiing here in North America is a bit different. With virtually no tram access to my usual ski mountaineering destinations in places like the Tetons, Mt. Rainier, or anywhere in Montana climbers are forced to start from the valley bottoms. This initial 3 to 5,000\u2019 climb can act as sort of a filter, both mentally and physically, just to get to the alpine. I for one know that I wouldn\u2019t be cruising up to the Middle Teton for some steep skiing, or up the Muir snowfield and over to the Ingraham for some Glacier turns after a last minute decision over lunch on a patio. The tougher access will always mean fewer people, starting their days a lot earlier in the morning, and more committing days. In reality, catching the first tram at 8:30am up Grands Montets isn\u2019t even early enough. Its easy to get a little too loose while mountaineering in Chamonix &#8211; the days can just feel so laid back. One minute you\u2019re on the terrace at La Flamb\u00e9e drinking your Chardonnay, and maybe just 15 minutes later you\u2019re on top of the Midi racking up to rappel into the Cosmiques Couloir.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_653\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-653\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-1024x677.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"677\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-1024x677.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-1536x1016.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-1489x985.jpg 1489w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-100x66.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-1438x951.jpg 1438w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue-1064x704.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crackrescue.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-653\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Setting up a 3:1 haul for a skier in a separate group.<br \/>The skier we rescued here had passed us<br \/>moments earlier. Photo Credit: Tom Coney.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This human factor is one that I really have to focus on, bringing it to the top of my priorities while over in the French Alps. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people all around you getting after it, some of whom are the best in the world, while others should be with a guide but are not. Things like following tracks can really get you into trouble over there. That person who laid down the tracks could be way more comfortable with 50 plus degree skiing, or dry skiing, or could have longer ropes for a rappel that you didn\u2019t know about. And no matter where you are skiing, everybody has a different level of risk tolerance. In fact mine changes from day to day. In a few instances when I decided to turn off of my objective due to avalanche hazard, poor conditions or the \u201ctoo many humans hazard\u201d, I watched people nonchalantly continue up the same route and get away with it just fine. This can really make you hem and haw while making the call.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, though, you don\u2019t always \u201cget away with it\u201d. For example, the day we decided to ski only the lower half of the Col des Cristaux, a steep north facing run topping out at 3,600 meters in the back of the Argentiere Basin, we changed our plans. My partner, Oona, and I had a conversation deciding to not top out and get ourselves over to the side of the couloir in an effort to stay in the sun softened snow and avoid the eighteen skiers above us. We transitioned from climbing to skiing on a saddle in the sun and watched as people made nervous hop turns between side-slipping down the 50 degree firm snow. One skier who was a little too back seat slipped out and fell about 500 meters over exposed rocks jumping a bergschrund and eventually landing on the Argentiere Glacier. Miraculously she was OK.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_654\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-654\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-1489x994.jpg 1489w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-1438x960.jpg 1438w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake-1064x710.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/benblake.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-654\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Whiteout with my buddy Ben.<br \/>Photo Credit: Leslie Hittmeier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In spite of the crowds, the chaos, and all the activity going on around you, mountaineering in Chamonix remains one of my favorites. It&#8217;s a great place to hone in my ski mountaineering skill-set. The community is top notch, people are open with sharing information on conditions, routes, and ideas. I was able to learn some slick tricks to improve my systems and watch some of the most dialed athletes around. I\u2019ve made mistakes too \u2013 lots of them &#8211; and probably have gotten away with things I shouldn\u2019t have. I\u2019ve followed tracks into the wrong couloir, been lost on a glacier without GPS, missed the train out of the Vallee Blanche, had a ski pop off mid-turn because I didn\u2019t clean my toe piece, realized my transceiver was dead during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/getting-your-head-back-in-the-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">beacon check<\/a>, and even dropped my coiled 30 meter rope into a bergschrund. But this is what makes the sport of ski mountaineering so awesome: always learning, always checking your buddies, and most of all, always keeping it tight.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_655\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-655\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-1489x993.jpg 1489w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-1438x959.jpg 1438w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise-1064x710.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blancsunrise.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-655\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">First Light over the the valley while mountaineering in Chamonix.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"cs-content x-global-block x-global-block-700 e700-e0\"><div class=\"x-section e700-e1 mjg-0\"><div class=\"x-container max width e700-e2 mjg-1\"><div class=\"x-column x-sm x-1-1 e700-e3 mjg-2\"><hr class=\"x-line e700-e4 mjg-3\"><\/hr><div class=\"x-text x-text-headline e700-e5 mjg-4\"><div class=\"x-text-content\"><div class=\"x-text-content-text\"><h5 class=\"x-text-content-text-primary\">About the Author<\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cs-content x-global-block x-global-block-568 e568-e0\"><div class=\"x-section e568-e1 mfs-0\"><div class=\"x-container marginless-columns e568-e2 mfs-1\"><div class=\"x-column x-sm x-1-4 e568-e3 mfs-2 mfs-3\"><span class=\"x-image e568-e4 mfs-4\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_2782.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" alt=\"Image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"x-column x-sm x-3-4 e568-e5 mfs-2\"><div class=\"x-text x-content e568-e6 mfs-5 mfs-6 mfs-7\"><p>Blake Votilla<\/p><\/div><div class=\"x-text x-content e568-e7 mfs-5 mfs-6 mfs-8 mfs-9\"><p><strong>Location:<\/strong> Wilson, WY<\/p><\/div><div class=\"x-text x-content e568-e8 mfs-5 mfs-6 mfs-8 mfs-9\"><p><strong>Skis:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/voile-v8-skis.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">V8 186cm<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/voile-ultravector-skis.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UltraVector 177cm<\/a><\/p><\/div><hr class=\"x-line e568-e9 mfs-b\"><\/hr><div class=\"x-text x-content e568-e10 mfs-5 mfs-6 mfs-8 mfs-9\"><p><strong>Website:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a target=\"blank\"  href=\"http:\/\/montana-skiing.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.montana-skiing.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"x-text x-content e568-e11 mfs-5 mfs-6 mfs-8 mfs-9\"><p><strong>Instagram:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a  target=\"blank\" href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/blakeskii\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@blakeskii<\/a><\/p><\/div><hr class=\"x-line e568-e12 mfs-c\"><\/hr><div class=\"x-text x-content e568-e13 mfs-5 mfs-8 mfs-a\"><p>Blake travels around the Rockies and beyond as a full time backcountry skier. He is currently based out of Jackson, WY under the shadow of the Tetons. Although he can be found making his annual trip to the French Alps for a healthy dose of steep skiing and baguettes, Blake still thoroughly enjoys the more remote and less traveled corners of the mountains here at home. When on the road Blake finds inspiration in getting to know the many mountain ranges and the people who call these places home. Lately Blake has taken to the air as a part time speed flying and paragliding pilot, so when not on the slopes look for the Voiles in the sky.&nbsp;<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"x-section e568-e18 mfs-0\"><div class=\"x-container marginless-columns e568-e19 mfs-1\"><div class=\"x-column x-sm x-1-1 e568-e20 mfs-2\"><hr class=\"x-line e568-e21 mfs-c\"><\/hr><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class=\"x-entry-share\" ><p>Share this Post<\/p><div class=\"x-share-options\"><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651&amp;t=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element', 'popupFacebook', 'width=650, height=270, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-facebook-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf082;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" onclick=\"window.open('https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651', 'popupTwitter', 'width=500, height=370, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-twitter-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf081;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on LinkedIn\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651&amp;title=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element&amp;summary=In+the+past+month+spent+mountaineering+in+Chamonix%2C+I+have+watched+skiers+tumble+off+cliffs%2C+tomahawk+out+of+icy+couloirs%2C+and+whip+into+crevasses.+I%E2%80%99ve+been+told+that+if+I+decided+to+rappel+over+a+group+that+they+would+%E2%80%9Ccut+me%E2%80%9D%2C+and+I%E2%80%99ve+been+tangled+up+with+impatient+guides+trying+do+the+same+on+alpine+climbing+pitches+and+glaciers.+I%E2%80%99ve+...+%3Cdiv%3E%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fcaution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element%2F%22+class%3D%22more-link%22%3ERead+More%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E&amp;source=Voile', 'popupLinkedIn', 'width=610, height=480, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-linkedin-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf08c;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Pinterest\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F10%2Flesrappel-copy.jpg&amp;description=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element', 'popupPinterest', 'width=750, height=265, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-pinterest-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf0d3;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#share\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share\" title=\"Share on Reddit\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voile.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F651', 'popupReddit', 'width=875, height=450, resizable=0, toolbar=0, menubar=0, status=0, location=0, scrollbars=0'); return false;\"><i class=\"x-icon-reddit-square\" data-x-icon-b=\"&#xf1a2;\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Mountaineering+in+Chamonix%3A+The+Human+Element&amp;body=Hey, thought you might enjoy this! Check it out when you have a chance: https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\/\" data-x-element=\"extra\" data-x-params=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;tooltip&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;hover&quot;,&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" class=\"x-share email\" title=\"Share via Email\"><span><i class=\"x-icon-envelope-square\" data-x-icon-s=\"&#xf199;\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the past month spent mountaineering in Chamonix, I have watched skiers tumble off cliffs, tomahawk out of icy couloirs, and whip into crevasses. I\u2019ve been told that if I decided to rappel over a group that they would \u201ccut me\u201d, and I\u2019ve been tangled up with impatient guides trying do the same on alpine climbing pitches and glaciers. I\u2019ve &#8230; <\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":656,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pro-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mountaineering in Chamonix: The Human Element - Voile<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While mountaineering in Chamonix, the human element is ever-present. Yet Chamonix remains one of my favorite places to hone in my ski mountaineering skills.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mountaineering in Chamonix: The Human Element - Voile\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"While mountaineering in Chamonix, the human element is ever-present. Yet Chamonix remains one of my favorite places to hone in my ski mountaineering skills.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Voile\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/voilemfg\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-04-17T15:21:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-01-29T23:07:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/lesrappel-copy.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Blake Votilla\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@voilemfg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@voilemfg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Blake Votilla\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Blake Votilla\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8d662e1f93f72bbf9e7faf5360c76f1e\"},\"headline\":\"Mountaineering in Chamonix: The Human Element\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-04-17T15:21:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-01-29T23:07:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":986,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/10\\\/lesrappel-copy.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Pro Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mountaineering in Chamonix: The Human Element - Voile\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/caution-is-key-in-chamonix-the-human-element\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/10\\\/lesrappel-copy.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-04-17T15:21:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-01-29T23:07:02+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.voile.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8d662e1f93f72bbf9e7faf5360c76f1e\"},\"description\":\"While mountaineering in Chamonix, the human element is ever-present. 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