Spring is here!

Over the past few weeks we’ve had lots of guests out skiing and touring across the Alps taking advantage of the mainly good weather and excellent snow conditions. Our Haute Route ski tours have been as popular as ever with 8 separate tours and a total of more than 40 people making the journey between Chamonix and Zermatt this winter. Despite some blistered feet and changes to the route almost everyone made it into Zermatt to complete one of the great high mountain ski tours.

Elsewhere our Backcountry Explorer trip in Zinal at Easter enjoyed excellent snow, quiet slopes and the wonderful hospitality of Penny and Eric at the Auberge Edelweiss. Hopefully we are not letting the secret out too much by singing the praises of this wonderful untouched paradise of powder!

Sue and Andy Mac and their staff continue to do a wonderful job at the Auberge in Ste. Foy and our recent Off Piste Performance and Backcountry Explorer trips also had a great time out skiing with our guides and instructors.

Bryan Hogg has been busy leading our Performance courses in Chamonix and having joined them all on a couple of days, I can confirm everyone’s skiing and confidence came on leaps and bounds under Bryan’s careful eye!

Remy Lecluse has been leading our Steep Ski Clinics in March and April and both groups enjoyed skiing some legendary steep lines and couloirs in Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Massif. Ticked of the list during the 2 weeks were the ENSA couloirs at Brevent, the Marbre under the Dent du Geant, the east face of the Tacul, the couloirs below Point Alphonse Favre on the Glacier du Mort, the NE slope of the Aiguille du Belvedere and the Col de la Bouche on the L’M. I think everyone had an amazing time and learnt a lot of new skills from Remy.


Shoulder of the Aiguille du Tacul


Remy gives a masterclass in steep skiing


Marbre Couloirs

We are now gearing up for the last few ski touring trips of the winter - a last Haute Route ski tour lead by Olly Allen, plus 2 more trips in the beautiful Bernese Oberland and last but not least our Ski Mont Blanc in the second week of May. Here’s hoping the weather and snow conditions stay good for them to summit. With the good recent weather in Chamonix there has already been quite a bit of activity on Mont Blanc with people make ascents over the last 2 weeks or so. The ski tracks are clearly visible down from the Vallot refuge past the Grand Mulet hut back to the Plan D’Aiguille.

On another note Matt Dickinson who many of you know and have skied or climbed with on Mountain Tracks trips is currently on an expedition to Mount Everest. He arrived safely at base camp a week or so ago and will be making the first routes up through the icefall this week as they start to acclimatise and put the high camps in on the mountain. We wish him the best of luck in his attempt, you can keep up to date on the news from Everest using by clicking HERE, which has regular posts from all the British teams on the mountain.

We also extend our wishes to Nick Bullock, Matt Helliker and Pete Benson who are attempting to make the first ascent of the Southeast ridge of Annapurna III at 7555m. The guys set off last week and Matt and Nick made it to Kathmandu before the volcanic ash cloud prevented Pete from joining them, but hopefully he will make it out soon so they can continue their walk into base camp. You can follow the trip on their blog HERE to keep up with the banter from base camp!

Do keep in touch and if we can help with your trip plans for the summer or indeed winter 2011 just let us know.

Aussie Docs On Tour

Evening sunset on the Aiguille du Chardonne

A snowy col below the Grand Combin

Crossing the Ruinette glacier towards the Dix hut

Cabane des Dix after fresh snow
Click the link to see the pictures from the week.
Picasa Photos
Olly

Final 2009 Haute Route

Despite the poor weather for the first 3 days, Klemen and I managed to battle through! One meter of fresh snow fell in 24 hours causing mayhem (not to mention tired legs breaking trail) Finally the weather cleared and we made a break for the final 3 days of the route. Due to the fresh snow we had perfect conditions over the Pigne des Arolla and the final days ski into Zermatt. Thanks to the group for their patience in the blizzards. Here is a link to the other pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/ollyguide/2009HauteRouteBest80

Cheers Olly

Haute Route Preparations

Haute Route Preparations

Klemen has out been out with some our Haute Route participants over this weekend in a search for powder snow. They enjoyed some fresh tracks in Cirque Maudit under the towering Maudit ridge leading to the summit of Mont Blanc. A descent of the top section of the Valley Blanche leads to a 2hr ski tour into the cirque, a truly spectacular corner of the Mont Blanc Massif, you are surrounded by some dramatic scenery – Tour Rond, Grand Capucin, Dent du Geant and more granite spires.

Here is a selection of photos from their day out.

A Ski Tourer's Tale of the Haute Route


A 17 year old girl on her first trip to the Alps was waiting for her turn to snowplough down a nursery slope in Zermatt as a group of weather-beaten, rucksack wearing; tight turning skiers appeared over the hill.
“Where did they come from?”
“Chamonix. They’ve just finished the Haute Route.”
She wonders if she’ll ever be good enough to do that.

Fast forward 33 years and I’m walking up the steps of the Couronne Hotel in Argentiere, skis in hand, rucksack on my apprehensive shoulders.
That evening Matt, our guide, talks us through the tour and asks what we’ve done before. Experience differs widely and we’re all looking forward to the challenges ahead. The banter begins and later, draught Leffe induces more laughter as the group begins to gel.
The next evening my bed is covered with a big mound of kit. We’ve had a warm up day and are getting ready to go. There’s much debate about what to take or leave behind. Ruthless decisions are made in the quest for a lighter pack.
6.30 alarm, breakfast, boots and off, heart thumping.
The next 5 days are a patchwork of sights, sounds, snow, sun, seracs, soup and skinning. Laughter threads the whole thing together. Long traverses lead to climbs where a steady uphill rhythm grinds down the heights that look so daunting on approach. View after view opens up as we travel through this astonishing landscape. Days are punctuated by welcoming huts, each one an oasis of rehydration, refuelling, rest, warmth and sleep (if you remembered your earplugs).
Reaching the peak of Pigne d’Arolla was an emotional moment for me. I’d never seen myself in such a place in any optimistic dream and I wondered why I’d waited so long to embark on this adventure.
The final day started before dawn. The wind was biting cold as we set off, hoping to complete the route. Thanks to Matt’s great leadership and an easing of the weather, we crested the final col to see Zermatt far below us and the Matterhorn towering above. Down we sped to a well earned beer, smiling all the way.
What a feast of rich ingredients go into this Haute Route Gateau, but the icing on the top is the people who travel with you, climbing the same hills, seeing the same views and sharing the laughter.
Thank you Mountain Tracks for making a 17 year old’s ambition a 50 year old’s achievement.


On the way up.....

Heading off into the distance....

A wonderful view from the hut...

Enjoying a well earned team beer at the hut...

Thank you to Wendy Shipley, who joined us on a Haute Route 14th - 22nd March 2009.