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Jim Hirschauer
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Wednesday 23 March 2011 5:07:56 pm
Andy,
Thank you for an incredible trip for a diverse group of telemark skiers, a snowboarder, and alpine tourers - some more experienced and others like myself, who was on his first tour.
A few of my the highlights for me: Great camaraderie, traversing across the top of an untracked bowl patiently waiting for the crucial more-northerly aspect before diving into the soft snow, lunch in the sun on top of a rocky peak despite a mild fear of exposed heights (mine, not yours, of course), perfectly paced climbs (It must be difficult skiing with the metronome in your pack.), starting off each morning at the monastery with tens of other tourers and ending each afternoon on untracked snow without another group in sight, scotch (just a little) and cards in the evening, expert (and patient) instruction regarding skiing, mountain safety, and even photography.
I learned a lot, and I had a great time. I'll begin subliminally prepping my wife for next year's trip! Or better yet, I'll find a babysitter so she can come along.
Thanks again,
Jim
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Colleen Ross
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Wednesday 23 March 2011 7:47:54 pm
I agree with Jim and I'll add some.
I came all the way from British Columbia, Canada. Having done ski touring and a tad taste of mountaineering in my country my sister invited me to come join this crew for a taste of the Alps. I was expecting sharing my days here with lots of people and with the lack of snow, testing my newly sharpened edges on ice. BUT this was not the case. If I had gone on my own, my initial thoughts would have been true, having Andy who knew the area and was able to sniff out terrain like a dog for a bone made me coming to Switzerland worth every penny!!
I was exposed to an amazing part of the Alps with sweet stashes of fresh snow, terrain just challenging enough to tease my skills and yet fun enough to keep a smile on my face. I had assurance knowing that every day was going to be safe and full of wonderful surprises. I NEVER would have bagged some of the peaks Andy roped (pun intended) us into doing either.
Thanks, Andy, for teaching me how to read terrain better, anticipate avalanche hazard and pick better up-tracks. I didn't even cry myself to sleep after you took photos of me to help me with my skiing technique. The next day I applied them and what a difference!! I'll take it home with me to perfect so I can return to show you my improvements. I had an amazing time both on and off the snow and will remember this always.
You were my first guide and you showed me there's a reason to use one! Your experience shows and I much appreciated you sharing it with us.
Cheers!
Colleen
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Zac Winstrom
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Thursday 24 March 2011 9:39:31 pm
There was never a doubt in my mind that we were being led by the most badass guide on the mountain. My older brother Luke suggested we do this trip while I was visiting him, and I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into as a snowboarder. The extra weight of my snowboard on my back while snowshoeing through powder which is like hiking through mud made the trip very physically demanding, but Andy's advice on how to pace myself (slow and steady) helped me find my rhythm and keep going. Hearing him say "Good job, Zac" everytime I lumbered my way up to a new summit helped keep my spirits up and was much appreciated.
Andy's calm demeanor on the scary tall climbs kept my own anxiety in check, and I feel helped those of us who needed it face calmly a situation in which we would otherwise have been overcome by fear. I like doing things that scare me and overcoming my fears, so this was awesome. Even though we were roped together on some of the climbs, no one fell. So even though we knew Andy would catch us if we did fall, we all did it on our own, and that's what made it feel so good. Best vacation ever. Now I need to get me one of them splitboards and do it again... 
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Andy Perkins
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Friday 25 March 2011 3:29:41 pm
Hi Jim, Colleen, Zac, Luke, Kelly Ann and Kevin,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. You were great fun to ski with and share the wonderful terrain around the Grand Saint Bernard.
Special thanks to Colleen for the shovel and the jade inukshuk all the way from BC. I hope I can get there to ski some time.
And thanks to Zac - the first time I've been called "badass".
Here's to the next time!
ANDY P
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