The Monte Rosa Massif is home to the second highest peak in the alps (Dufourspitze) and has a further 7 more major 4000m peaks within its boundaries. The 'Spaghetti Tour' circumnavigates the massif (using Liskamm as its hub) but spends the vast majority in Italy, where the rifugios are famed f... more>
I've spent the last week with Michael and Cathy. They flew all the way from the US of A (Florida) where the highest point above sea level is less than 30m! The original plan was to climb Mont Blanc so we set off on a training/acclimatisation programme in the Chamonix valley. On day 1 we headed... more>
Mont Blanc is Western Europe's highest mountain at 4810m above sea level. At this height acclimatisation is really important and most commercial trips take at least 6 days to complete the trip. The voie normale remains the Gouter Ridge and two hut s serve it: the Tete Rousse and Gouter Hut. Th... more>
Neil and Miles hit a period of snowy and mixed weather so once again I headed out east to the Englehorner Hutte. A short walk in and quick drying rock has ensured that I will come back to this area again and again. There are routes of all grades here for everyone from PD to ED and you could e... more>
The canton of valais is home to some of the most famous mountains of the alps. Classic expeditions on snow aretes and rocky ridges and many 4000m peaks make this a popular venue for alpinists. Neil and Miles have hit a spell of inclement weather throughout the Alps but despite this we've manag... more>
Elizabeth and Will have previously climbed with me this season when we went climbing in the Mt Blanc Massif and Italy. The focus then was climbing independantly and I spe... more>
The Valais region of Switzerland is home to many 4000m peaks and has many of the longer, classic ridges within its boundaries. Carla and Raija joined me for 6 days to hopefully climb some of them by the harder AD routes. The first day we headed to the Ferpecle Glacier in the Val d'Herens where... more>
The weather in Chamonix and the Mt Blanc Massif continues to be superb with temperatures now exceeding 30 degrees in the valley. This means rock routes are generally the best choice and you often have to contend with afternoon convective storms.
Chris joined me for a week of 'technical a... more>
Liz and Will joined me for a week's course in alpine mountaineering. They've both climbed peaks like the Matterhorn, Eiger and Mt Blanc before and wanted to operate more autonomously. We spent the majority of the week with me 'off the rope' and them climbing independently. We met in Chamonix a... more>
The Alps are at last enjoying good weather which luckily has coincided with my summer season starting. The snow cover in general is good with many classic faces and ridges now in good condition. More rocky or slabby routes will take a wee while longer (but not much) to clear.
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