Just got back from the Alps today - surprised that I don't look out of place with a scorched face, it seems the weather has been just as spectacular here !
After a couple of days acclimatising Rob and I headed to our objective - the Kuffner Ridge on Mont Maudit, but being fried on the approach glacier we were disappointed to see the route in poor and dangerous condition ( its not been snowy or cold enough of late to create good conditions ) so we headed back around to the Cosmiques Hut for an early night and earlier breakfast ( at 03.00 am ) so that we could give plan B a try - The Trois Monts route to Mont Blanc. It seemed we weren't the only ones with at least 6 other teams heading out the door at the same time.
Setting a steady pace we managed to reach the summit first, just after dawn and were lucky enough to have it to ourselves - a rare occurrence on such a perfect day - handshakes and smiles all round. We were back down by lunchtime for some R&R in Chamonix - finishing off the trip with a very relaxed climb up the Cosmiques Arete and a tandem parapente flight from the Plan De l'Aiguille for me ( I was even lucky enough to be allowed the controls for a short while - scary !! )
Another busy few days at the end of the season - making the most of the good weather with a mixture of outdoor / lead and intro courses for Wesley,Tyler, Lola, Liam, Joseph and Delyth - a very easy and enjoyable few days for me, just right for getting into the holiday mood for our trip to the Picos De Europa, with hopefully warm sunshine and golden limestone against crystal blue skies - although last time we visited we had 50cm of snow overnight !
Back to work this week with courses in the Wye Valley and North Wales, luckily the weather was much better than anticipated - especially for Renai and Grant, visiting from Australia, they even got a fleeting view from the summit of Snowdon - despite the severe weather warning ! A few glimpses of autumn sunshine in the Wye Valley were also very welcome for lead and introductory climbing courses as I was concerned that poor weather might spoil one of my busiest weeks so far this year, thanks to all for an enjoyable few days climbing !
Just got back from the Alps today - surprised that I don't look out of place with a scorched face, it seems the weather has been just as spectacular here !
