Just had a great weeks work for Frost Guiding, based out of Chamonix. Laura and Vanessa were here for a six day course, with the Grand Paradiso as the main objective for the week with plenty of time to practice skills and get acclimatized beforehand.
We had a great weeks weather, and plenty of options for climbing. It was the first alpine trip for the girls, and their enthusiasm was infectious, they’re on a mission to get out walking and scrambling at home both during the summer and in the winter up in Scotland. Mont Blanc is on their Tick-List, and I have to say it was a refreshing change from the norm that they were keen for a weeks preparation first, rather than just wanting to climb Mont Blanc on the first trip. Resulting in them having more skills and experience now, and probably enjoying Mont Blanc much more when it’s climbed.
Anyway, we had four days of preparation before the Grand Paradiso, a day up at the Helbronner lift, a night at the Albert Premier, the NW ridge of the Tete Blanche and 500m slab climb on the valley classic Via Corda.
Some tricky climbing amongst that lot, especially the Tete Blanche which was icy in places after the heatwave we’ve been having.
The Grand Paradiso lived up to it’s name, with the walk to the Chabod refuge being one of the nicest in the alps. The climb itself was still in reasonable condition, but there were some big crevasses opening up. We made a traverse of the mountain to save having to come back across the snow bridges in the afternoon heat.
Laura and Vanessa made a quick ascent of the mountain, showing off the mountain fitness (and acclimatization). It’s still a long day though, and a lot of descent by the time we were back at the car. The knees were feeling it a bit.
They were already making plans for next year during the drive back to Chamonix – it must have been a good week 🙂
Summit ridge of the Grand Paradiso
Dent du Geant from the Helbronner Lift
Laura on the Tour Glacier, crampon practice
The view from the Albert Premier refuge
On route to the Tete Blanche
NW ridge of the Tete Blanche
Tete Blanche north face- getting icy
Via Corda – great slab climbing
Crevasse rescue practice in the morning
Early morning on the Grand Paradiso
Waiting for our turn on the Grand Paradiso
The madonna on the Paradiso
