Good weather continues today. I’ll be off to Switzerland tomorrow for a prolonged ‘hut-fest’ over eight nights. Starting at the Hohsaas Hut, then moving on to the Almageller Hut for five nights, before descending and moving quickly over to Zermatt and the new Monte Rosa hut. So, for well over a week the blog will be barren.
More settled weather today with a hint of high cloud over Mt Blanc. Check out the update on the rockfall on the Grand Couloir approach to Refuge Gouter and Mt Blanc
Another day out in the Aiguille Rouges. This time on the ridge uphill of the Index, itself a good accessible rock climb. For anyone happy on the Skye Ridge, this outing above the Index offers good training up to 2800m. Plenty of loose rock and route finding issues. Descent by the same route is possible, as are many other non-obvious possibilities. Take a rope and some abseil ‘tat’ in case of problems.
A very fine day today with barely a cloud in the sky all day. The higher rock routes such as the Walker Spur look a little plastered and at this time of the year with autumn just around the corner, they may not clear. The lower rock pitches on the Frendo Spur also look to have a dusting of new snow.
Having just arrived, today was a work out to stretch my legs in the Aiguille Rouge and down to the Office Bar in Argentiere in time to see Arsenal suffering against the young Manchester United side at Old Trafford. Not a bad day really:)
After weeks of very warm weather in the Alps, last night a colder set of fronts moved through and dumped snow down to much lower levels. This latest snow has certainly burned off as today has progressed but it is still nice and cool. Check the weather
Early Autumn weather arriving on the west coast of Scotland
Off to the Alps for a fortnight this evening, leaving behind some pretty good weather. Showery early autumn conditions in the West Highlands just now.
There has been a large scale rockfall today below the Gouter hut and as a result the ‘Gouter’ route on Mt Blanc is closed for the near future.
How much do you know about weather? Try this game that has been produced by the Met Office
Spurs were unable to match the pressure!
A change of location further east to Braemar and Glen Lui. The midges were just as fierce as the west coast though! This afternoon the weather cleared up, revealing the smooth rolling southern Cairngorm hills. Great country for travelling long distances over many summits, aided by mountain bikes on approach and descent.
Thanks to Scott Kirkhope for these photos. Scott was running a short two-day rock climbing course for West Coast Mountain Guides on Skye last Thursday and Friday. Plenty of rain on Thursday and a little respite from the clag on Friday. Thanks Scott.
