Winter Season

The summer has come to an abrupt end with the arrival of the first winter snows. My first day out on the Midi was an incredible run on Glacier Rond’s hanging glacier (my gopro didnt work in the cold that day so I posted the iphone footage in an intsgram reel here https://www.instagram.com/reel/CklTpfSoAGf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link. It was so good, better than any turns last season. that we bootpacked back up and skied it a second time before flying off the serac and back to town. While we still need more snow for more conventional runs without a wing, there is nothing but snow on the forecast for the next two weeks. I will definietly go over to Skyway, which just opened, and check out some more mellow stuff in the upper Valley Blanche.

So here’s a photo gallery of some of last years highlights to get you in the mood for skiing and climbing this winter. If you are looking for guiding services then please get in touch as soon as possible as bookings are flooding in. All the best, Ross

Cassin Route, Piz Badile

A wonderful trip to climb the Cassin’s incredible 1937 route on the Piz Badile in the Bernina Alps – one of Europe’s 6 classic North Faces.

It was the first visit to this region for myself and regular partner for long alpine mission @claphamski. Despite that we made good time climbing the route in 5hrs30, with about 6 pitches and long periods of simul climbing. We abseiled down the north ridge and I will definitely be back to climb and guide this too.

The lovely Sasc Fura Refuge @sascfura gave us a warm welcome and made our stay very enjoyable.

We finished off the day with a celebratory pizza in Italy 🇮🇹 on the road back to Chamonix – after it it was James’ birthday.

A big thanks to @colleenmaclellan at Chamonix Sports Massage for working so hard to get the knots out my thigh muscles after so many hours riding enduro!

Aiguille de la Republique

There are Chamonix Aiguilles (needles) and Chamonix Aiguilles. This is one of the latter, as sharp and pointy as a 700 m rock spire can be. The thought of the pioneers lassoing the summit and hand over handing up a hemp rope still makes my palms sweaty. The exposure levels on the summit kept me straddling the blade of rock – one leg either side. We climbed the modern magnificent political crack route named Republique Bananiere that the maestro Piola rated in his top ten Mont Blanc Massif granite routes. ED 6C and 700 m of magic including a 50 m dihedral.