Many thanks to John Carney for sending this report in today from the brilliant ice climbing in the Cogne Valley above the Val d'Aosta. John and I climbed the Frendo Spur on the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi last autumn and it seems he has been... more>
Many thanks to John Carney for sending this report in today from the brilliant ice climbing in the Cogne Valley above the Val d'Aosta. John and I climbed the Frendo Spur on the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi last autumn and it seems he has been out on the ice... more>
Despite the lack of fresh snow the skiing here in the Chamonix Valley continues to be reasonable on grippy hardpack with a lot of bumps! Along with a strong and confident group of off-piste skiers, including 3 Mountain Guides and a member of the British Ski Rando Racing squad, I have just completed the BASS Chamonix Ski performance course for mountaineers run by Alison Culshaw.
The cou... more>
Owain Jones and myself enjoyed some fun & fine icy mixed climbing on Pointe Lachenal's central 'Pellisier Gully' today, see photos below. A very quick ski across the Col du Midi and upper reaches of the Vallee Blanche accesses the base of this short but entertaining route. After crossing the bergschrund and climbing 100m of easy snow we climbed 4 good icy mixed pitches (up to Scottish 5... more>
An extremely windy day up high in the Chamonix Valley gave some pretty tough mountain conditions for those venturing out on to experience the good quality ice that currently exists. This is one aspect of winter sport in the valley not suffering from the month long snow drought!
Fellow British Guide, more>
Items for sale in the Chamonix Valley
Salomon Kiana Womens Snow Boarding Boots Size 39 (UK 6). Very good condition, barely worn: 50 Euros.
Hammer Pulp Series Snowboard 151cms with bindings. Good condition: 100 Euros.
Dynafit Aero womens ski touring boots, link below. 314mm sole length. Approx womens UK size 41 (UK 7). Very... more>
Please get in touch if you are in the Chamonix area and looking for a guided Vallee Blanche descent. We have a maximum of 2 places left for a guided descent on Tuesday 25th Jan, 100 Euros per person. There is an excellent, albeit very cold forecast, for the day, so break out an extra pair of thermals the camera and prepare for some rosy cheeks and great photos. Much more detail is available... more>
A continuing weather pattern of cool nights and mild, almost spring like, afternoons has considerably consolidated the snow pack around the Chamonix Valley. Whilst this has given a deterioration in snow conditions for many off-piste areas in some areas it has given decent spring snow and sent many teams high in to the mountains to ski some steep couloir lines.
Today in the Argentiere B... more>
The descent of the Vallee Blanche Classic route took on a slightly more demanding mountaineering feel yesterday morning as 80km/hr winds whipped snow across both the descent arete and the glacial plateau of the Col du Midi. All previous tracks were covered in deep soft windblown snow, there were no other teams at all on the Classic route and the upper Vallee Blanche retained a superb pristin... more>
Congratulations to the conservative Lord and former MP, Micheal Forsyth, who has just climbed the highest mountain in Antarctica, Mount Vinson.
Michael had been in training for the climb since last winter when we did some training climbs together in the Scottish Highlands. Previous rock climbing experience and ascents of two of the worlds other '7 Summits' (Acconcagua and Kilimanjiro)... more>
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