Yet another long period of stella autumn alpine weather in the Chamonix Valley finally passed this weekend as the Southerly Foehn winds arrived.

It has been an active period for alpine climbers in the Chamonix Valley with teams on the following routes:

Fil a Plomb, NW Face Aiguille du Plan. Many teams on this good ice climb including one team choppered off.

Carrington Rouse, N. Face Aiguille de Pelerin. Many ascents in good conditions. Teams in the last few days reporting crowding and thinner conditions due to hacked out ice! Fine photos, as usual, on Jon Griffith's Blog

North Face of Les Droites. Teams have been climbing the Ginat and Colton Brooks during October.

North Face of Les Drus. Some teams climbing the Drus Couloir including an impressive swift ascent by Swiss team Caroline George and Ueli Steck. Various other teams running out of time and impressed with the sustained and difficult nature of the climbing. Early in October there was an impressive ascent of an icy-mixed Lesuer Route. More details and photos here. Strong Scottish team Pete Machpherson and Guy Roberston also climbed the Guides Route on the Drus North Face (after a fairly epic trail breaking effort to even get to the face!)

Many other good routes have been getting done including the Chere Couloir, Contamine Mazaued, Gabarrou-Albinoni, Bodin-Affanassief etc.

No recent report from the Grandes Jorasses North Face although one friend was heading in to solo the Petite Macintyre.