Mont Blanc 4810m - Chamonix, France

Climbing the "hill" one last time

I had one last Mont Blanc scheduled before the end of my summer season and it was setting up to be an interesting one to say the least with the weather.

I had been booked with friend and guide Edward Bekker to assist him with a group of Dutch guests. The forecast wasn't great and we moved the ascent back by a day which was the only smart thing to do. As it turned out, summer left Chamonix and was replaced by a quick taste of winter. In fact, nearly 30cm of snow had fallen in places and it was in ankle deep snow that we set off to the Tete Rousse hut. The original plan was to make the ascent and sleep again at the hut on the way down. Dues to high winds and unsettled snow, we revised our plan to spend an extra day allowing things to settle down and then attempt to climb Mont Blanc and descend in a day. It was an ambitious plan but the only logical one to  go for. 

We left Tete Rousse at 1:30am and after a few stops along the way first at the Gouter hut and then to warm up at Vallot, Roel and I hit the summit after only 6 and half hours of climbing. The wind had died down as forecasted and we enjoyed the summit with the others of the group. Mont Blanc proved once again that it was a well earned ascent and that it is never easy.

Felicitaties to all my new Dutch friends!

Heading up les Rognes

a bit of snow - where are my skis?

nearing Tete Rousse

the "wart" on the ridge

Edward and guests 

Pierre and guests at Vallot

perfect day to summit

well done Roel

Bionassay

new Gouter - but will it be open next year?

back at the train

There's no season like the snow season!

OK I am the first to admit, most are living somewhere where it is still warm and sunny and most likely you don't have skiing on your mind - just yet. Tis the reason for a ski blog and I have some great ideas in mind for 2013. NoSiesta Guiding offers programs to many exciting destinations and specializes in custom guiding for advanced skiers.
Experience some of the best skiing found in the Alps with legendary IFMGA ski guide Francis Kelsey.
So without further ado lets have a look and see what's in store for the 2013 winter ski season.

Special Ski Programs: 

❆Volcano skiing on Mt Teide on the island of Tenerife, Spain

❆Zugspitze Arena Freeride Weekend on the highest peak in Germany

❆Big Mountain Skiing 101 - legendary descents Marinelli, Eiger, Glacier Rond, Brenva Glacier, Holzer couloir...

❆The Ultimate Last of the Ski Bums Trip - Bring your ski quiver and hop in the van, we are off to ride some of the most famous ski destinations of Europe!

Ski Mountaineering Trips: Legendary tours through the high mountains and glaciers of the Alps

❆Haute Route - Chamonix Zermatt - the uber classic must do ski tour

❆Gran Paradiso - unspoiled setting, pasta parties and multiple summits including the 4,017m king

❆Silveretta Tour - comfortable huts and numerous options makes this a great tour to start with 

Steep Skiing Intro: Looking for your adrenaline fix - the impressive slopes above Chamonix are where it all started. 

6 day program based in Chamonix, France

So what are you waiting for to sign up and join me on some fantastic skiing this winter?

All the details can be found at www.nosiesta.com

MAMMUT 150 YEARS ANNIVERSARY TOUR - ZUGSPITZE, GERMANY

mammut 150 year anniversary tour - zugpsitze, germany 

This past week I had the pleasure of being part of the Mammut 150 year anniversary tour held in Garmisch, Germany.

The goal of the week was to climb the infamous Jubilaumsgrat ridge line. This is an 8km long exposed ridge stretching from the Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany to the summit of the Alpspitze. 

The itinerary starts by way of the Hollentalklamm and a 1st night at the Hollentalhutte. The next morning the route climbed up to the end of the valley and onto the start of the via ferrata over the Hollentalferner and then the final infinite string of iron cable to the summit of the Zugspitze at 2,962m. Our 2nd night was spent at the Munchner Haus at the summit. 

The 3rd we awoke to poor weather as predicted and we reluctantly decided to head back down to our starting point, thus unable to accomplish the Jubilaumsgrat. 

Despite this our group had a terrific time and did ascend the highest peak in Germany all by way of foot and back.

Congrats to all involved!

More info on the tour is available here:
http://peakproject.mammut.ch/en/peaks3/tour/37616