Gran Paradis, Italy

Yesterday we walked up to the Chabot hut in the rain and enjoyed the hut and the good company there and by the morning our clothes were reasonably dry! We had breakfast at 4.00 am and summited at 10am or there abouts in glorious weather, the ladies were ace and did well! We descended by the Victor Emanuelle hut where feet were cooled in the lake!

(Left to R) Kathryn , Jo and Rosie on top

Jo followed by Kathryn on the scramble to the summit, Rosie in front.

Nice days on the hill!

With Rosie, Jo and Kathryn we have had some nice days, the weather is a bit unsettled but we have manged to get some summits in! Rosie (orange climbing helmet) and Jo climbing on the Tete Blanche this morning!

Kathryn, Jo and Rosie ready to leave the Cab du Trient at 5.45 am today! We climbed the Tete Blanche and Petit Fourche.

On the Aig du Tour Summit yesterday.

Women with attitude

Love it, no attitude no altitude. Fresh snow in Chamonix and the first photo (below) was taken this morning from the Montenvers train. This is the Aig. Rouge and normally at this time in July one can walk to the rock climbs there in sandals!!! The Aig Rouge this morning... its July!!!!!

Kathryn, Jo and Rosie on the Mer de Glace today!
Wise girls choose Mountain Equipment Jackets!

Rope Access

Technicians from The Reel Groups newly established division based in Mumbai, India demonstrating their skills at Talon NDT Limited in Aberdeen yesterday.

Evolution... from Left to Right, The Petzl Stop, The Petzl ID ( one of the first self locking descenders), HiTechs Prisim, and then on the far right the Petzl Rig. Petzl seem to stay ahead with their innovative, compact, simple and effective design!

Grand Paradiso from the Chabod mountain hut

Above, Chris on the summit.

Unsettled weather here in Chamonix but over the past two days Chris and I went around to Italy and we were lucky with the weather and summited the Grand Paridiso.

The refuge Chabot with the Grand Paridiso behind.

Aig du Tour and all

On the 17 th July we left Chamonix in the rain and walked to the Albert 1er refuge, arrived at the hut to find it very busy with wet mountaineering gear hanging everywhere to dry. The morning was still not very nice with fresh snow down to about 2200 metres. We left the hut navigating and fortunately our perseverance paid of as the sun burt off the cloud and the snow showers. We summited on the Aig du Tour and then traversed the Plateau du Trient to over night at the Cabane du Trient.... the wind was South Westerly and the fresh transported snow has formed some large patches of wind slab on the higher cols.
Today we climbed the ridge on the Tete Blanche and got back to Chamonix as the rain began to fall again. The forecast is not good for the following days. Chris on the Tete Blanche

Chris on the Aig du Tour summit yesterday

Introductory Chamonix rock climbing

Chris on the rock this afternoon!