This months Mens Fitness Magazine features an article by London based U.S. journalist Henry Wismayer describing 10 Mountains 'Any Man Can Trek'. The point is to demonstrate that a lot of the world's famous 4000m peaks do not require expensive technical equipment or even, in some cases, much mountaineering experience. Muztagh Ata wou... more>
After two fine ski ascents of Mont Blanc in April and May the summer season kicked off in earnest during the first week of June. Heavy afternoon thunder storms had left fresh snow down to the Tette Rousse at 3167m and a determined approach was required yesterday morning to set off in further cloudy and snowy weather to maximise the forecast improving period of weather.
The arrival at t... more>
Conditions across the Mont Blanc range have taken a pleasant turn for the autumnal with cool air temperatures and reasonable amounts of fresh snow on the glaciers, faces and butresses. Rock climbing in the High Mountains is only now really practical on the warmer South faces.
Fellow British Guide Dave Hollinger and I enjoyed fine icy conditions whilst climbing the Grand Pilier d'Angle... more>
The large amounts of fresh snow at the start of the week here in the Chamonix valley gave some difficult mountain conditions with only those willing to break trail and navigate getting anywhere.
James, Gareth, Louis, Rob and I had an unusually tough Mont Blanc training period over on the Tour and Trient Glaciers. This prepared us well for an unusually tough Mont Blanc ascent which too... more>
Mike, Pete and I had intentions of climbing the Matterhorn last week but selected other Valais objectives as the rain poured and the snow settled quite thickly down to hut level at around 2800m
Click links below for route photos...
We packed in the quality Swiss Mountain Gneiss though starting with the superb little AD traverse of the more>
Many teams turned back on the route to Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi today. Those getting an early start from the Cosmiques Hut enjoyed a full moon bathed night, but the wind and cloud started early and provided a cold buffeting. Most teams starting from the first Midi lift were fighting a losing battle and like many other teams we returned from the Col de la Brenva with no summit in... more>
Consistently hot temperatures have led to a rapid deterioration in conditions for the crossing of the 'Grand Couloir' on Mont Blanc's 'Gouter Route'.
Little snow now remains in the Couloir and there have been multiple accidents due to both stonefall and slips on loose rock. Most of the observed rockfall yesterday seemed to be initiated by the small meltwater streams generated by the... 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>
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