React First are running a 2 day outdoor first aid course based in Chamonix on the 10th & 11th of November this year. Designed specifically for those who spend time in the outdoors whether they are involved in recreational, professional or voluntary activities this is the perfect opportunity to brush up your skills and re-validate your outdoor first aid qualification for any of the follow... more>
A month of alpine autumn weather has alternated cool showery storms with fine bright, cold & stable periods. Decent conditions for starting to build snow and ice on the North Faces of the Chamonix Valley.
Mike Brownlow and Rich Bentley found reasonable conditions on the North Face of the Aiguille du Chardonnet climbing the fine icy mixed 'Escarra Route,' (III,4) which Jean Escarra... more>
When the overnight clouds parted on the Chamonix Valley this morning they revealed 30cms of fresh snow and mountains plastered down to 2500m. A pristine feel returned to the faces and glaciers around the valley as fresh tracks were put in and ridges cleared of snow.
Gavin and I enjoyed some fine snowed up granite mixed climbing on the short Chamonix classic, the 'Cosmiques Arete'. Whi... more>
Along with fellow British Guides, Dave Hollinger and Stuart Macdonald I have just had the pleasure of training some of the students of the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence technical college, 'Welbeck'.
Based on the dedication, fitness and sharpness of the students I think the future of the British forces is in good hands, not to mention the potential recruitment for the British Mountain Guid... more>
A clear and stary but moonless night greeted our 01:50 departure from the Refuge Tette Rousse.
It felt mild on the rocky scrambling approach to the Gouter Hut yet, as usual, a breeze accompanied the magnificent pre-dawn view across the Chamonix Aiguilles and the snow was perfectly crisp.
Our 13 hour summit day felt like a long one but the weather was perfect and we beat the impen... more>
In what the Chamonix Meteo reports described as 'scorching' hot weather Tom, Gaz, Noel and I enjoyed 2 solid days of Alpine training based in the Chamonix Valley.
A day based from the top station on the Grandes Montets lift allowed us to practice the different rope techniques used for glacier travel, moving together on steep snow, ice and rock as well as pitched climbing and abseiling... more>
After some cold and snowy conditions the Chamonix Valley has enjoyed a fine week of summer alpine weather. Temperatures have been mild overnight and hot in the day giving afternoon thunderstorms and soft snow on the Glaciers and snowy faces.
Mat, Gregor and I started our Alpine Guides Technical Alpinism course with some multi-... more>
Three weeks of warm and sunny alpine weather has made it's mark on climbing conditions across the Western Alps. Rock routes, even at the highest altitude became totally dry and snow free whilst some of the glaciers and classic easy snow ascents became awkward icy challenges.
Many teams have been out making the most of the warm, stable weather and in the last few weeks I've climbed the... more>
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