Expedition Training Weekend

Last weekend we ran an Expedition Training weekend in Chamonix for people heading off to the Himalaya and other mountain ranges. These 2 days, lead by Jonny Baird and David Vallet, teach the essential skills required for a high altitude trek, expedition or ascent of a non-technical climb in the great mountain ranges.

Covering basic rope work, belaying and rappelling; navigation skills, route choice and planning along with personal fitness, endurance and stamina; safety in the high mountains and understanding the acclimatization process.

The group enjoyed their first day on the Mer du Glace doing rope work and crevasse rescue and ice climbing; the sun was shining and the mountains looking spectacular after a fresh fall of snow. The second day gave way to some snow and wind at altitude, never the less the team descended the Arête on the Aiguille du Midi and snow shoed to the Cosmique Hut, testing their navigation skills in the cloudy conditions.

A White Christmas in the Alps

After the huge falls of snow in the Alps in the last few weeks we now have bright blue sunny skies and fantastic snow.

Last week our group of early season skiers were enjoying the fantastic conditions in Ste. Foy and the surrounding resorts. Lead by Bryan Hogg they honed their off piste skills in the powder and the group all come on leaps and bounds by the end of the week.

Nick was out leading a Ski Touring Skills Weekend in St. Gervais, their first day was spent skiing around Les Contamines and practising some avalanche search and rescue techniques. The following day they did a lovely day ski tour around the Petit Croise Baulet and on Sunday they enjoyed a ski descent of the Vallee Blanche.

Over Christmas and New Year we have our Off Piste Performance Foundation and Plus courses running in Chamonix, they will be heading out and around the mountains under the astute eyes of Mark Gear and Olly Allen.

I have been out for a ski in Chamonix this morning and the conditions on and off piste are excellent, with the sun out and not a cloud in the sky, Stuart and myself enjoyed a few runs on the deserted pistes before heading across from Brevent to Flegere, skiing some nice powdery snow in the Combe Lachenal. Before heading for lunch we skied one of the steep couloirs under the top cable car, this astatically pleasing line in Couloir Bellin was an excellent ski and after 500m of jump turning our tired legs just about carried us to the bottom.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, we look forward to seeing you out with Mountain Tracks in 2009, please do give us a call to check availability on our courses.

Ski Touring Training

Just been out for the first training skin of the season, bit of a shock to the system! The snow was great, fresh tracks in shallow powder with no one around. The Meteo has forecast more snow on the way over the next few days. Bring it on!

Olly