It started out great: it was around one thirty and there were hardly any people, beautiful sunshine, not much wind, and since it was only one day after a blue sky powder day, there were still fresh tracks to be had. The only negative was that it was bitter cold, but I can't really complain about that since snow keeps better in cold weather.

The ridge is in excellent condition (but this doesn't mean you shouldn't put your crampons on - why carry them in your backpack when you can use them?).

Looking around, we decided the Grands Envers was the way to go since there seemed to be less tracks. I was with my sister and two French friends and we've all been down an unknown number of times combined.

Even though I'm from the east coast of the States, I am not a fan of ice and I have to admit as I get older I get a little more apprehensive of dubious ice patches. My idea of ice ranges from hard packed snow which doesn't look like it will hold a skier but does, to the unskiable. The "icy" traverse along the ridge swings over onto the North side. I slid along and my skis clung enough to the face to make it to the first steep pitch.

That's when our troubles started. The pitch looked icy but do-able. We all dropped in initially and then were going to go one by one down the face. It all happened so fast. Suddenly my sister was tumbling head over heels down the face in a serious no-fall zone. Without going further into the details, I'll just say she was fortunate enough to tumble over the rimaye and land only a couple meters below a very open hole in one piece and well enough (jacked with adrenaline) to stand up immediately and let us know she was okay. One of my French friends raced down to join her and the other collected her skis and poles which had come off above the rimaye. It took a little coaxing to get me to traverse the ice after what I had just witnessed.

On we went (in nice powder snow about knee deep). The second steep pitch looked a little icy to drop in, but actually the snow was pretty grippy. More powder and I think even my sister was blocking out the pain and enjoying herself. Then the second catastrophe. One of my French friends hit a block of ice and messed up his knee. It was impossible for him to continue and so we were forced to call the PGHM rescue helicopter who said it was a busy day but that they would be there in about half an hour. It was around a quarter to three.

A group of 5 snowboarders appeared from above and hung around. They were obviously waiting for us to move and show them the way. After much waiting they joined us and were probably disappointed to hear that we were waiting for our injured friend's helicopter rescue. The group (all without harnesses) continued.

About an hour later, the helicopter came right up to us and then disappeared and didn't come back until it was around 5 o' clock and night was closing in. Frozen solid, we were relieved to finally get moving. With only a quarter moon and one headlamp for the three of us, we skied down the couloirs and across the Mer de Glace.

A short while after we had passed the stairs to the Montenvers telecabine (which was shut at this hour), we heard shouts from the left and a flash of light (from someone's mobile phone). It turned out to be the same group of Russian snowboarders minus one snowboarder who had been heli-rescued from the rock band below the Requin hut. They were lost, in the dark, and unequipped. We had to stay with them to make sure they would find the point on the glacier where we take off our skis and climb up to the Mottets and the path to Chamonix (which incidentally is in great condition). Although there was a big language barrier and they were obviously very grateful to arrive safely on the path to Chamonix, I'm not sure they fully understood the gravity of the situation had they not been found. I can only imagine their joy at arriving at the Planards. That night the Planards was especially welcoming since it was hosting the FIS competition - bright lights, live music, crowds of people, hot food and drink, even fireworks!

In summary:
- DO go up there - It is beautiful and in good condition in most places.
- DON'T go up without a guide if you don't know where you're going. Following tracks is not a good idea.
- DON'T go late in the afternoon if you're not sure of everyone's ability in the group to get down in a normal time frame.
- DON'T go without the proper equipment for glacier skiing - if you do not know what the proper equipment is, then you definitely need a guide.