Legends of La Grave: Past & Present – Behind the Line Season 7 Episode 8
In 2001 Doug Coombs and legendary local Ptor Spricenieks were some of the first people to ski the “Ice Line” in La Grave, France. Now thirteen years later, inspired by their heroes, Johnny Collinson, Ian McIntosh, & their guide Joey Vallone look to repeat this rarely skied descent.
Ptor recently reflected on his experience with Doug in 2001, “I’m pretty sure it started with a conversation by radio. Doug and I were neighbors but we never used the phone. None the less, the time for ‘that’ line on the Glacier de la Meije was at hand…something we’d been looking at and scheming about together. As usual when that magic of timing and mutual inspiration come together, the mission is effortless. Too bad we were too busy flowing along to take pictures. The memories however, are super burned into my being. I remember how awed we both were to be in the middle of such a run. Despite Doug’s casual attitude towards things, he was the most awed that I had ever seen that day. ‘Full meal deal’ I think was his superlative. Thanks Doug.”
