Swim on the Blanc.

Spring hasn't really said hello around the Chamonix mountains much this season. I don't know if it's lazy, busy or doing other fun things somewhere else. Maybe Spring had had a shameful experience on a night out in town and was just too shy to show its face. There's mutual feelings going around Chamonix with everyone being fed up with the poor weather. Just feels like we've missed out on those long special periods of good settled weather where you can ski up high in the mountains in the morning, go climbing in the afternoon then have a BBQ whilst the sun is setting. Don't get me wrong I've had some great days out recently but they seem to be quite spaced apart.

Spring's face?!

Back on the skis.

I haven't ski as much this year as I did last year for various reasons, mostly as I've wanted to concentrate a bit more on climbing. It felt great though to get back out and have fun on the skis.

Big thank you.

I was so excited when I went to collect my delivery the other day. I 'd been looking forward to receiving this, and now I could finally get to play with my new toys. I'd like to say a massive thanks to Mountain Boot Company for supplying me with lightweight ski mountaineering equipment and footwear.

Some ice.

Photo credit; Jon Griffith

I managed to get a few good classic ice routes done at the start of February.

Carrington - Rouse

Last weekend I was at the Kandersteg "not so much" ice festival. It was a shame the conditions were really poor as I had arranged to stay on for a few days after with my friend Ben Winston to climb some ice. http://www.benwinston.co.uk/ The conditions were really bad so we decided to head back through to Chamonix. Ben had 3 days to play with and being a new father he has to savour and make the most of any free time he gets.

Powder start to the season

First few days back on the skis. Friday went to Verbier and on Saturday I was at Courmayuer. Powder runs on both days.... Great start to the season.

Lesuer route, Dru

Due to missing good weather windows with work and conditions being really awkward, I hadn't managed to get much climbing done this autumn. A nice high pressure system sat over the Massif last weekend. So I said no to work and asked about to see who was keen to go climb a hill...