Because of the poor conditions and the growing boredom, we decided to move on to the next valley for a few days. The "Valle Hermoso" ("beautiful valley") bears its name for good reason, I have rarely seen anything so beautiful. What's more, the snow conditions are generally better there. Well, just see for yourself...
The weather forecast promised clouds for the first day, then one or two days of sun and warm temperatures and then clouds again, perfect for a few beautiful days with spring-like conditions. After seven hours of climbing and descending, endless traverses and some good turns, we finally reached our "shelter", which we had to share with some rats, but which gave us some protection against the wind and cold.
After a quick dinner and an incredible sunset, followed by perhaps the clearest starry sky I have ever seen, we went to bed early, tired but excited about what the coming days would bring.
A nasty surprise the next day, however: thick clouds prevented the sun from melting the snow. Everything remained hard and frozen. We waited until midday in the hope that the sun might fight its way through and give us the chance to ski a few more slopes, but as nothing had changed by midday, we decided to head back, as the next few days would be the same and there was no point in staying here any longer. After seven hours we reached Las Lenas at nightfall, without having had a single good descent, but happy to have at least done something. We'll try again in the next good weather window, hopefully with a bit more luck...
