A magnificent view, almost disquieting. The extension of this face is huge, even though the photographic view from below and also the lack of rocky drops, don't reward enough the beauty of the environment.
We spent two weeks at the base camp to acclimatize ourselves, preparing the two upper camps, the whole climb and waiting for the good weather. After unceasing snowfalls, the weather started to improve only in the last two days with a beautiful clear sky and cold wind. That was what I needed to realize my dream. Luca reached the summit on August the 2nd. He gave up the idea to descend from the North Side and he decided to go downhill from the normal track at 6.500 m. Elena also decided honourably to gave up at the same altitude allowed herself the little luxury of skiing in telemark. August the 3rd was my turn to ascend.

Emilio Previtali - the secret Taleban (Photo Luca dalla Palma)

The climb wasn't technically difficult, but it was really hard going due to the cold weather and the wind. A strong wind at high altitude can be a sworn enemy for somebody who's carrying a snowboard on the haversack, because becoming like a sail, it's always too heavy and bulky.
Once I arrived at the summit, which is the main "target" for every alpinist, my snowboard adventure on the North Side was about to start. As soon as I gave a closer look to the mountain face and I decided to descend directly the summit through a steep path, I realized how different could be the type and the level of motivation for a great faces snowboarder compare to a regular alpinist: the other four "summiter" of that day, regular alpinist satisfied to have reached the summit and only worried about descending to the base camp as soon as possible, tried their possible to dissuade me from doing the North Side.

Emilio on the summit (Photo Emilio Previtali)

Beyond the fatigue and the need to take a wise decision in a low oxygen environment about the risk of avalanches, I had to start my descent while the others were starring of me like it was the last time. Once the initial cornice from the summit to the path that leads to the mountain face was over, I reached a very steep passage with hard and crusty snow. At that particular point, surrounded by rocks, the incline is about 50%, but soon it sloped gently down in the next path.

I felt a very strong sensation to be alone, just the mountain and myself. After the first turn, which is always the most difficult, I clearly felt inside myself that I was perfectly at ease, in tune with the mountains and very happy for making my dream come true.
For those who never tried it must be quite hard to understand, but snowboarding on a steep mountain face requires the same efforts than climbing "on sight": concentration, sense of guidelines, resistance, and bravery. Above all: no tumbling.
In approximately one hour I went downhill along a new path, passing through a huge glacial mountain face. Maybe technically is not that extraordinary, but it's really rewarding to be able to accomplish the performance making the right choices at the right time. I have experienced a great adventure. At the end of the mountain face, looking back at my track line, I was particularly proud. Exactly like an alpinist who is observing the line of his uphill track. It's a question of point of view: I like to see mountains "upside down". But I'm sure that whoever is capable to appreciate the mountains he can do that even looking at them in different ways. Does this happen to you to, dear alpinist?

Translation by Roberta Rho

The downhill (this is the only existing pic!) - Photo Jan Pala

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