A continuing thaw  at most levels today  with high winds so Karl requested some outdoor rock climbing so that he coud try traditional climbing, placing his own gear as he climbed.  I suggested we drive to Burghead and  despite the high wind and rainy forecast it stayed dry for most of the day....we have  been very lucky with the weather, and after much chat and instruction climbed three routes with Karl getting the opportunity to lead them all... a very good day.

Surprisingly Ok today in the Cairngorms

Thaw conditions with strong SW winds, but it was ok. Climbing with Karl.

Some pitches were quite lean.

Quite sporting

The buttresses are stripped.

Coire an T-Snechda, - The Cairngorms

Took Karl up his first climb today !

A big change from HongKong!

Winter climbing snows are here in the Cairngorms

After a rainy wet early November the temperatures are a lot cooler now and we have good snow cover in the Cairngorms, some ice is forming and there are quite a few teams are out climbing.

We are willing to begin climbing guiding again and this can include all levels of climbing from beginners to experienced climbers. We also run navigation and winter walking experience courses which  can include avalanche awareness, route choice and all you need to know for travelling tough our hills in winter.  We also run some mountaineering courses and  are happy to take you out for  day or three... just get in touch if you are looking for  guide. 07760320069/ info@teamascent.co.uk

Yesterday we went out for a gad about in the hills and this is Chris Tranter who was visiting from Calgary, Canada. 

A good day was had by all.

Autumn rock climbing

Rob at Palestra del Centenario

Rob again,  on Grecale, the ruins of Mont Mayeur castle in the sun.

Climbing at Vallorcine

Another fine day Sport Climbing in Champrocher valley, Italy, Serra di Biel

Fine climbing and good weather this morning with some high cloud obscuring the sun later. Here are my better photos of Bob from today....

Woke up to some fine new snow on the Chamonix this morning. Nevertheless Bob and I had a super days climbing in Italy;

View from my Chamonix bedroom this morning.

Bob on one of our earlier climbs

Multi-pitch

Bob again

A superb location with wonderful views.

Sport climbing in Italy

We (Bob featured in all the images) have had to great days climbing in the Aosta valley, North Italy. So far we have been lucky with the weather.

les Piolets d'Or 2019

The purpose of the Piolets d'O awards is to raise awareness about the years greatest mountaineering ascents across the world. They are a celebration of a sense of partnership and solidarity, of shared experiences, and reward individual or collective achievement. the celebration was held  at the XXIV Festival Gorski, Ladek-Zdroj, Poland  Saturday 21 September 2019. Thanks to Maciek Solowski, Reneta Wcislo and Piotr Trybalski and team for a well organised and wonderful festival.

After the recognition ceremony, presenters and award winners 

One of the many after dinner parties. Tatjana Raich, Sandy Allan, ?,Christion Trommsdorf, VitusAUer, ?

Conrad Anker, David lamas parents and presenter Sandy Allan

The Auer family and  presenter Christain Trommsdorf

Krzysztof Wieliki with his PIolet d'Or Carrier 2019

Ales Sesen, Luka Strazar with presenter Andrez Stremfelj for their first ascent of a variation route on the north ridge of Latok 1. Tom Livingston the third member of their climbing team was absent as he is currently on another expedition in Pakistan. 

Via Ferrata Curalla, Passy, Haute Savoie, France

Well it never rains but it pores as we say in the UK! I have not been on a via Ferrata all season then two come along one after the other. This time I was with Anne who actually lives in the same village as I do in Newtonmore, Scotland but also lives here in the village of Les Houches just down the road form Chamonix. We drove down the road and did this very fine Via Ferrata today.

Anne on a rather wobbly and very exposed wire bridge

Anne finding it easy enough

Photos have loaded back to front this one was taken  near the start of our via Ferrata..

Via Ferrata `tour d'Ai Leysin Switzerland

An ace time was had by all, I was lucky to guide a group from Indi Camper who were great fun and very sporty and keen to have a great day out. They had driven in Indi camper vans from Munich and were destined for Lyon, but found time to stop in Leysin and Chamonix for some fun along the way.

The first few meters of the Via Ferrata

Well along the via Ferrata now, Jeremy the  very cool and friendlyorganiser taking up the back position.

There are some steep sections which train up the arms.

 Leysin Guides have a message box near the top

And just to ensure it was quality day we did several rock climbs near Leysin to close off a wonderful day.

Transition between indoor climbing and out door rock climbing - and learning to lead

Over the past days I have been helping Dave and Cara to climb outdoors, they have been climbing at indoor climbing gyms for a little while now. We were climbing on bolted route in the Aosta valley and Chamonix;

Cara at the top.... no hard hats required a sit a well cleaned and very safe slab to climb on.

Multi pitch and stance organisation. 

So cool for me to have time with Cara.

Dave on second and cleaning the quickdraws.

Dave's first lead.