The Argentiere Basin

Argentiere basin

Aiguille Rouge Touring

Key Hole TourKey Hole Tour-2Key Hole Tour-3Key Hole Tour-4Key Hole Tour-6Key Hole Tour-7

Pow

PowWe found some great snow today which was a real pleasure and unexpected after the high winds. Thanks to Michelle for capturing this shot. I’m looking forward to the next reset to open up the terrain in the Chamonix area and fill in some holes.

 

Trident Couloir

The first adventure of the season was to an often overlooked line that provided superb situations and stunning views. About 1000 m up from the glacier lands you at the top of the line. Despite being on the sunny side it was bitterly cold and my feet were continuously painful and on the wrong side of cold. The prolonged exposure to the cold in Baffin has definitely taken its toll and I will be investing in some warmer liners later in the week!  After months of solid office work it feels great to be back into the mountain and synchronising with the natural rhythm of life, having fun and working the body hard.
Trident Couloir ChardonnetTrident Couloir Chardonnet-2 Trident Couloir Chardonnet-3Trident Couloir Chardonnet-4Trident Couloir Chardonnet-5Trident Couloir Chardonnet-6Trident Couloir Chardonnet-7Trident Couloir Chardonnet-8SAMSUNG CSCSAMSUNG CSCSAMSUNG CSCTrident Couloir Chardonnet-10Trident Couloir Chardonnet-9Trident Couloir Chardonnet-12Trident Couloir Chardonnet-11SAMSUNG CSC

Camping Time

Miage Aigle Dave Searle-6This week we Dave Searle and myself went back to the Miage Glacier under Mont Blanc’s Himalayan sized West Face with the idea to have a semi-rest day and camp on day 1 and then get and early start and ski a line mid-morning before it got too hot. I had some expedition kit to test out so this provided the perfect opportunity.  Miage Aigle Dave SearleMiage Aigle Dave Searle-2Miage Aigle Dave Searle-3

At the foot of the Miage. We soon got bored of load carrying in the heat and set up camp.Miage Aigle Dave Searle-4

Chilling out in the evening.

Miage Aigle Dave Searle-5My touring set up this season.Miage Aigle Dave Searle-6

Dave’s disco tentMiage Aigle Dave Searle-7

Our line for the day on looker’s right

Miage Aigle Dave Searle-9

Dave at the start of the 1100 m bootpackMiage Aigle Dave Searle-10

The shrund was bottomless and we roped upMiage Aigle Dave Searle

Sunrise
Miage Aigle Dave Searle-11Miage Aigle Dave Searle-2Miage Aigle Dave Searle-12

Upwards, on and on.Miage Aigle Dave Searle-13

The snow deteriorated due to being worked by spindrift so we skied the good stuffMiage Aigle Dave Searle-13Miage Aigle Dave Searle-14 Miage Aigle Dave Searle-3Miage Aigle Dave Searle-4Miage Aigle Dave Searle-15Miage Aigle Dave Searle-16 Miage Aigle Dave Searle-5 Miage Aigle Dave Searle-6Miage Aigle Dave Searle-17Miage Aigle Dave Searle-18