Ski Touring with a reluctant friend in October

 There aren't many cable cars open in October in the Chamonix Valley, yet  at school half term the Flegere gondola is open for walkers.  This coincided with some beautiful autum weather.  Milo and I used the lift to go on various walks together. I even took my mountain bike and after he had had a good swim in the lake[created to supply the snow cannons] we would then zoom down the piste back home.  He would run down because he can't ride a bike.

Aiguille Verte&Dru before the storm

Inevitably the weather broke and we indured a week of miserable weather where it rained hard. Towards the end of the week the temperature dropped and it snowed above 1800meters for several days.   It even snowed in the garden.  

We were both getting "cabin fever" and although the weather was still far from ideal we headed back up the Flegere gondola.  Unsurprisingly we were alone when we arrived and were amazed to be met with 50cm of snow.  We went for a short walk, but it was impossible to venture too far without skis.

So the next day we returned, this time with a hybrid ski/snow shoe.  This is a Norwegian invention which looks like a short ski with half its sole covererd in a permeant skin which is glued to the base.  The binding is like a snowboard binding and will take a hiking boot.  In deep flat unconsolidated snow they are quite efficient.  In anything else, they provide lots of comedy moments and are not recommended. 

There had been a considerable top up of snow since the previous day, but the visibility was slightly better.

Milo shot out of the cable car station and headed for the lake.  I followed on the hybrid skis and as soon as I hit the piste , I immediately experienced their limitations and went head first into a snow drift.  Eventually I caught him up at the lake where he went for a swim.

Please can I go for a swim?

Milo and his favourite place

The third day the weather was fabulous.  We again turned up at the Flgere lift station, but this time the car park was full, we just found the last spot. I had jettisoned the hybrid skis and had a real pair this time.  Milo was excited too.  He lept out of the car and bolted for the gondola, slalomed around all the parents and kids with sledges and some how got on the lift without me.

Once reunited I firstly voiced my discontent in no uncertain terms.  Clearly this had zero effect because he headed off down to the lake for what he thought was another swim.  Yet this time on a proper pair of skis I could keep up with him, attached his lead and headed off on our planned ski tour.

We ascended in the direction of Lac Blanc and suddenly we were virtually all alone.

Looking towards the Aiguille du Chardonet

We climbed for about an hour, but Milo was finding it hard work in the deep unconsolidated snow so we stopped for a drink and decided we had climbed high enough, yet he still found time to admire the view.

Milo admires the view

Aiguille Verte&Dru

The descent was marvellous. The snow in the shade made for wonderfull skiing.  Yet for my ski -less friend it seemed like hard work.

On our return to the lift station we took a detour so Milo could enjoy a refreshing dip in his favourite lake.

So far this is an impressive start to the season.  Let's see how it develops...

October rock climbing: From the gym to the real deal.

Emma Henderson joined me for some multi-pitch alpine rock climbing, and our timing couldn’t have been better. We were blessed with a spell of stunning weather — the kind where, as long as you stayed in the sunshine, it was warm enough to climb in T-shirts. The trees were plastered  with autumn colour, and the crisp air made for perfect climbing conditions.

This was Emma’s first real introduction to multi-pitch rock climbing, and she was  keen to make the transition from the bouldering gym to the outdoors. Chamonix and the surrounding area is as good as a backdrop as any...

Emma's 1st Rappel 

Emma took all this in her stride so the following day we returned to Switzerland and climbed on the excellent cliff Les Trappistes above the road between Martigny and Sembrancher.  Again all these routes can be found in the  "Entroment Escalades guide book."  I would highly recommend getting a copy because it show cases some world class rock climbs.

Emma on the 5th pitch of Pantagreul

The line of Pantagreul

On our third day, we stayed closer to home and climbed the sunny slabs at Les Chesery, high above Argentière. We tackled the comparatively easy Voie Jaune, a fantastic route for learning about rope management and efficiency. It features an involved three-stage rappel to descend from the top — a perfect introduction to the art of multiple rappels. The views were jaw-dropping, enhanced by the turning autumn leaves . It’s the kind of setting that reminds you why you might want to climb somewhere other than indoors..?

Chamonix Aiguilles seen from Les Cheserys

1st pitch of Voie Jaune

A very big and well camouflaged Ibex

On our fourth day we climbed the modern classic Cocoa Girls which overlooks the franco swiss border in Chatelard.  This was Emma's favourite climb of the week .

Emma on 4th pitch of Cocoa Girls

Mt Blanc framed between the ridge

Finally I would highly recommend the following guide book https://www.mountain-guide.ch/fr/Topo/

The Houses of Parliament Sir Chris Bonington Honorarium Lunch

Big Ben

 It would be a mild understatement to say that this is not a Mountain Guides typical stamping ground, yet thanks to my friend John Young invitation this is where I found my self a couple of weeks ago.

UK Parliamnent 

John and I were guests of The Outward Bound Trust who were hosting the Sir Chris Bonington Honorarium Lunch.  It was in recognition of Bonington's life time support for the Trust's work and his uniquie ability to help them raise funds.

Having myself started my own journey in the world of outdoor education by working for Loch Eil Outward Bound back in the mid 1980's, it was wonderful to be a guest at this special event.

Members dining room

There were eighty guests, including Trustees, Donors, representatives from the British Mountaineering Council, plus two other British Mountain Guides, Iain Peters a former director of Plas -Y-Brennin[England&Wales national outdoor training centre] and Alan Hines OBE- the only Britain to have climbed the worlds fourteen 8000 meter peaks.

Lunch was held in the Houses of Parliament members dinning room.  It was preceded by a Champagne reception followed by lunch. 

 Between the courses there were speeches where Bonington was presented with awards for his work for Outward Bound. He responded with heart felt thanks.  Plus he commented on the fact that when he was climbing, there was no telephones on Everest where as now it is possible to call home from the summit.

He said he was greatful to have done all his climbing before the advent of this technology.  He did not outwardly criticise the modern developments, just greatful that they had not yet been invented when he was climbing.  This could be interpreted as if you still want a real adventure, then leave your phone behind.  I wonder how many of us would actually do this!?

Chris Bonington accepting his awards

For me, it was a life event, something I could never imagined experiencing it was truely spectacular with lots of sensory overload.  Then it was back on the plane and back to the mountains. 

Heading back to Chamonix