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...

A visit from Scotland.

Last week three friends of mine, Greg, Adam and Dougie came to Chamonix for a quick Alpine hit. We had a few ideas but things were warming up!

Gervasutti Pillar

The Gervassuti pillar is one the most classic alpine routes in the Mont Blanc massif, and quite rightly so. Towering spires that are stacked upon each other to form impressive ridge lines, seems to be typical of the East face of the Tacul. Which gives a slightly overwhelming feeling once you are involved in its structure.

Peuterey Integral

I always look over my right shoulder when I arrive in Italy after exiting the Mt Blanc tunnel, to have a wee swatch at the Peuterey Integral.  All these times that I've stared at this huge ridge line, I've been in awe knowing that I'd climb it someday. Exiting the tunnel this time felt slightly different!

Barbey Couloir

Knowing that there was only two days left until Grandes Montets closed for the season, I wanted to make use of the lift and ski something from the GM.

SE colouir of Chardonnet

After our day in the in the basin we weren't sure what to get on, as the Grandes Montets closes next week, we were really keen to do something off there. We really wanted to get on the NE Slope of the Courtes, but we knew that it wouldn't have majorly transforemed overnight. So graham came up with the idea about doing the West face of the Aiguille du Chardonnet, which grabbed all of our attention. Though some of us only have the attention span of a salmon! Still it was grabbed.

A day in the Basin

It's been a while since we've seen Mr. Sunshine but today he was wearing his hat really well. All we've had for the past month is rain, rain, rain, snow, snow, snow, WIIIIIIIIIINNNND, Snow, snow! Don't get me wrong it's great skiing pow in the middle of May, but I think everyone is starting to crave some sun.

So today Graham, Bouche, Sandy and myself got an early bin up the Grandes Montets and went to have a look up the Argentiere Basin to see how things were looking after all this stormy weather we've had.

We were really hoping that the NE slope of the Courtes would in good condition as we've all got this on our list. The slope is one of the best classic steep lines in the Massif, it's 700m long and is at a consistent angle of 48° for the whole way.

Trappier Couloir

A few weeks ago Chamonix had a long spell of high pressure bringing lots of sunny warm weather, which gave the place a very summery feel to it. This made a lot of South face ski lines really poor. So when Josh suggested to go ski the Trappier Couloir on the South side of the Gouter ridge, I was a bit sceptical that it would be any good. I presumed the North facing stuff would be a safer bet, but who am I to doubt the great Josh Fawcett! I mean the man comes from Yorkshire, where the all the best skiers come from!We also met up with Bouche who’s always keen for skiing, and after a bit of discussion we finally drove to Les Houches and headed for the Trappier.

North face of Mt Buet

Mt Buet must be one of the friendlier summits to climb in this mountain range but that takes nothing away from it being one of the finest summits to climb and ski.

Bit o this, Bit o that!

Over the past month I've been doing lots of skiing and also the first rock route of the year.

It's about blogging time!

I know I've not posted on my site for a while, sorry about that, but I've not been doing that much climbing over the past few months due to the epic amount of snow we've been having in Chamonix. I have been doing a fair bit of skiing which is great as it's something that I've been wanting to improve at.