My first Alpine season was in 1983. I was twenty years old, enthusiasm far outweighing ability, and I was up for anything. The trip was safe and successful largely because my climbing partner was older and wiser than me, and more experienced. If you’re planning a trip to the Alps, here are some things to consider:
Read MoreExactly a month ago, on 24th July, I took two clients up the Cosmiques Arête in beautiful Alpine conditions - blue sky and lovely white snow (check out the blog post from that day). Today was more like a day out in Scotland in the winter! We made an early start from the Cosmiques hut, and we had the route to ourselves. Well done, Nicola!
Read MoreI'm working for ten days with two clients, Geoff & Nicola, and their original aim was a Monte Rosa & Matterhorn ten-day programme. The plan included six hut nights and the following summits:
Weismiess (4023m)
Breithorn (4164m)
Pollux (4092m)
Castor (4228m)
Liskam (4527m)
Monte Rosa: Zumsteinspitze (4563m) and/or Dufourspitze (4634m)
Matterhorn (4478m)
It has been one of those difficult summers in the Alps. Consistently hot weather (30+ degrees every day in the valley) mean that higher up there is a lot of ice melting - ice that would normally be holding tons of rock in place. The resulting rock falls make many routes and areas unsafe, and the Goûter route up Mont Blanc has been closed off and on through the summer. Last week I was working a Mont Blanc course for Maximum Adventure, so unable to use the Goûter route, we had a great day in the sun traversing the Aiguilles Crochues. Well done Dean!
Read MoreA great week in the Chamonix valley with father and daughter team, Tim & Kirsten Bishop - well done to both! These photos were taken on our Cosmiques Arête day.
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