Covid-19 update

 

Snowy Cairngorm

 Over the past days we have had quite a lot of new snow which mainly fell on light winds so the snow cover is very good. There has been some consolidation of the snow pack but  its hard going trail breaking. Lots of ski touring and "the lifties " on Cairngorm mentioned that the may open by the 19 Dec  if not perhaps a few days earlier.

We soloed up Spiral Gully today as  conditions ar Ok but the snow is pretty deep and there is lots of clearing to be done on the buttress lines..Climbing conditions are shaping up really well, long may it continue.

                                                        A wonderful light this morning

                                                     Rick enjoying a slightly more technical section.

                                                Rick topping out on to the palteau

First Scottish winter climbs for this winter season

                                                        Topping out in the deep snow.

                                                    Snow Bunting
 

L' An d'Emile

 Another great climb with Maggie and Rick

                        Maggie at the top,Mont Blanc in high cloud behind.

                        Maggie being impressive- as she always is!

    A super climb, in the shade for much of the day!

Cocher-Cochon, a rock climb at Planpraz-Charlanon

 The three of us, Maggie, Rick and I had great time yesterday on this climb. It is a Chamonix classic with some truly magnificent 6a pitches leading amazing situations...Another wonderful day.

                        Maggie leading the first 6a pitch

        Rick delighted at the top of the last pitch

Wonderful Chamonix and Mont Blanc

                        Rick on one of the early pitches

                        Maggie belaying Rick at the top.

L'ils aux Razmokets

This is  superb rock climb which I had climbed about twenty years ago but my friend Rick had not tried it so we gave it a go. It was busy a Sunday and even although we had an early start there were still people on the climb when we arrived. However we had an ace time as all teams moved efficiently so we enjoyed a marvellous days climbing .

                        We had  coffee at the cascade.

    and later a boulder session at Pierre D'Ortaz

Vallon de Berard, Vallorcine, Ombre et Lumier 5c+,6a+,6a, 6a+ ,5b, 4a

 Great day today with Maggie doing this wonderful sports climb.

Maggie

I had to pull on  quick draw on the 6a+ so I had better go bac when Im in better form!!!

A very aptly named climb.

Super day!

Keschnadel , Swtzerland

With my good friend Toni Spirig we climbed the skyline ridge of the Kesch Nadel , above ST Moritz/Celerina.

 

Some Austrian rock climbing....

Big boys don't cry (I think)

Tatjana

What wonderful rock climbing the Otztal have.

 Sylvia and Tatjana

 I have been  bit lazy about keeping my blog up to date. They say the bast climbers are the ones having the most fun..... and thats what I have been doing; 

A nice ascent of the Matterhorn

Zermatt and around the Matterhorn

Guiding for Adventure Consultants this week, we have a Montarosa tour which should be fun.

The Riffelhorn 2927 m and Matterhorn

Breithorn 4085 m,

Rock climbing on the south face of Riffelhorn for our first day, some nice rock climbing, then roping up for glacier travel, anchors and crevasse rescue hauling systems.

Some nice climbing to be had with about 12 bolted routes with some bolted variation finishes.

Aiguilles Marbree with Rick

A nice outing with Rick. Conditions are pretty good but there was not much of a freeze last night so the snow surface was a little bit soft. It was fine for the early birds!

Chamonix ridges-

Nice day acclimatising with Rick with an overnight stay at The Refuge des Cosmiques, (3613m).

Rick sitting around.

views through the mist

Quite atmospheric up on the Vallee Blanche this early morning. 

Rock Climbing -Aiguilles Rouge, Chamonix Mont Blanc

Super ice day with my friend Paul, we climbed Madagaskara  TD- 6a