Tete Blanche NE Ridge

Leo and Nigel climbing on the N. E. ridge of Tete Blanche today, a wonderful summit which we climbed from the Cabane du Trient early this morning.

Mont Blanc summit on the 16th June 2011

So we did a traverse of Mont Blanc from the Cosmiques mountain hut, departing at 1.45 am after a fine breakfast! Then the steady upward climb by head torch light to the shoulder of Mont Blanc du Tacul, on round then to Mont Maudit, on then to the Col de L' Brenva and the Mur de la Cote, steadily onto the summit. Some flag waving there and Robbie tried to call his local radio station to no avail. We descended by the Bosses Ridge, down to the Goutier hut where we had a drink. We did not stop for long and then short roped down the scramble ridge to cross the Grand Couloir which was stable and well frozen. Down then by passing the Tete Rousse hut, to walk all the way down the train less rack railway tracks to Bellvue and the cable car down to the village of Les Houches. The Storm just started as we stepped away from the Cable car, lucky boys! Robbie J Kelly on the summit of Mont Blanc. You can read more about Robbie, his pals and adventurous plans on http://www.irelandtoeverest.com/

A short break on the shoulder of Mont Maudit as the sun rises in the early morning clear clear fresh air with finger numbing temperatures!

Acclimatisaton day

After our ascent of the Grand Paridiso we returned to Chamonix fora good nights rest. Early the next morning Robbie and I went up to the Aig du Midi and had a technical day on the Point Lachenal ridge and then went over to spend the night at the Torino refuge. The next day we walked back and descended to Chamonix in the mid morning for lunch and a break. Point Lachenal

The arete du Midi.

Grand Paridiso

Over the last couple of days have been on the Gran Paridiso. We walked up to the V Emmanuele hut yesterday with Robbie from http://www.irelandtoeverest.com/ and we summited today. We were lucky with the weather and conditions as the mist was down when we left the hut and on the col it was windy and freezing cold.. However by the time we got to the summit it was pretty ace!

Robbie J Kelly on the summit at 0830 hrs this morning!

Vallorcine climbing

Woke up to rain early this morning in Chamonix, but it cleared up nicely and by 10am we could climb. William and Basil {9 and half years young} climbed their first multi-pitched climb today before flying back to the UK from Geneva..... an ace day! Traversing along the top of the crag to the descent ladders and path.

Big smiles!

Via Ferrata and rock climbing

An excellent day today with William and Basil, First we were on the Via Ferrata at Passy and later went rock climbing at Le Fayet . Lots of technical skills covered today and Basil top roped his first 5b!

Vallee Blanche, Chamonix

Quite unpleasant weather here just now with a lot of new snow in the mountains, still we manged an acclimatisation walk on the Vallee Blanche today from the Aig du Midi cable car...the weather is forecast is improve!

Fresh snow in Chamonix today, 1st June 2011.

Woke up this morning to fresh snow on the lawn outside my window, Wow, 1st of June in Chamonix! Still took the clients for a nice walk up to the Floria and then by the time we returned to the valley the rock was beginning to dry so had a good afternoons rock climbing! Not the best of views from the Floria terrace this morning.

By the afternoon the rock climbing was fun and Basil was able to abseil by the close of the day!