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'. Whilst undeniably short and accessible this route provides some fine technical passages and is hardly the beginners favourite it is often touted as, as this photo of the crux passage may help to demonstrate!

Watch our short Cosmiques Arete video

More Cosmiques Arete Photos

More Alpine Conditions Photos

I have been working for Alpine Guides this week