News & events in Chamonix

 6.10.08 - In 3 days now i'll fly to Nepal. From Katmandu we'll go in the Annupurnas area. After several days of trekking we"ll ascent the Chulu West (6400m). All the details will be on my blog : www.passionguide.canalblog.com And when i'll be back it will be time for ice climbing and ski !!!!

 What a summer ! I had little time for the news. Soooorry , but we had the best climbing conditions of the last 6 years. So I was in the mountain instead of being in front of my computer. See the blog for some photos of our climbs !...

 Back from a Chamonix-Zermatt (haute Route) trip. The weather was ...well as it should be for a ski tour trip : mid sun , mid-snow. We had great snow on "les Portons" and crappy weather in Naccamuli. But all in all everybody has enjoyed the whole tour : definitely a great tour !!.

 far from the computer due to several ski tours, I'm back to the office for a couple of days. In beteween i've been guiding some Chamonix-Zermatt or Switss ski tours and climb fews routes in the Mont Blanc Range. The conditions are really good for the period, april should be nice for ski !!.

 Nice ski tour in Petit Velan from bourg Saint Bernard; a very aesthetic area: Grand Combin is very close and the view on Mont Blanc range is awesome. From the top (3222m) we skied the West couloir, perfect spring snow !!

 From grands Montets we went to Col du Passon and down to Le Tour village. It's a great off pist. After a nice ski on Argentière glacier a little walk of 500 of ski turing allows to ski on the Tour glacier. 2hrs of effort for a total of 2600m of off pist. See video on www.passionguide.canalblog.com

 The weather forecast seems to be nice : some fresh snow is expected tomorrow. Get ready : wax yours skis & boards and warm up your legs !!

 Ski tour in "la Pointe du Midi", a very nice place in the Aravis range , not far from Chamonix (1 h driving) near the Grand Bornand ski resort. The tour is quiet, offering some good snow and nice landscape. A video on www.passionguide.canalblog.com

 - Another fantastic off piste day in Aiguilles Rouges: the weather was sunny , the snow deep & light . It's awesome, there's nobody on off piste these days so lots of fresh tracks for us !! see : www.passionguide.canalblog.com

  What a surprise in les Grands Montets : despite the recent snowfall of last nigth there were very few people on the slopes. Ideal for who want to enjoy a maximum of runs !!.

 Just back from colorado where the snow conditions are awesome. They get the hugest snowfall since 10 years. Fantastic for champaign snow , off piste and ...avalanches ! Geeee !!

 Just below the town of Courmayeur (Italy) there was a very nice Ice Fall. We decided to go for a ride , just "to See". In fact the climb was awesome : fluted chandellars, hanging pillars...everything for a good day of practice. See photos on www.passionguide.canalblog.com

 Happy Christmas everybody !, for presents let's have snow , ice and sun !!!

 First pitches of 2008 ice climbing's season in Valsavaranche; Italy. We've been on the Rovenaud Ice fall. Great ice , not too cold and good fun. We're just getting ready for the next trip coming soon : Colorado Ice climbin g . Some photos on www.passionguide.canalblog.com

 The world famous Vallee Blanche is now skiable. With the last snowfalls the glaciers looks ok . Since , the aiguille du Midi ridge isn't equiped with fixed ropes, so it is still a good idea to go up only if you're comfortable with a short walk with crampons. The guide will rope you up for security .

 On March 2008 we're planning a ski tour amonst the famous Mount Triglav. Exceptionnal off pist, great snow in a preserved wilderness and wonderfull landscapes : that's all about Slovenian Alps. Interested ? E-mail (philippe@alps-adventure.com) and I'll send you the technical file

 For the Christmas Holidays we have 1 ice climbing course ready to start. We're looking for 1 extra pers. The dates are 25 to 29.12...send a mail (philippe@alps-adventure.com) and get your ice axes ready !!

  The Grands Montets will open this WE (24/25.11), the snowmakers did a great job and the Marmottons slope should be ok. A special ski pass is ready : 12€/pers. For those who can't wait anymore ...

 Hi, We do have a group for off pist in Chamonix durnig Christmas holidays. There are still few places available, an d the snow is already here... So if you're interested hurry up , rush on your computer board !!

 Yeah !!, it is heavily snowing in Chamonix. About 20cm in the garden and still snowing this afternoon. It will be time for a first ski ride in Col de Balme very soon !.

 Snow on Mont Blanc Range since 3 days. It is good for the ice climbs and the ski resorts. Lets cross the fingers and hope that it will continue.

 The Aiguille du Midi cable car is now closed. It will be open for week ends and fully open on december 13.

 28/10 - the Montenvers tramway is now open. It will allow climbers reach huts such as Leschaux , Requin or Couvercle Much faster. And there are some good alpine conditions in these areas ...

 FromJanuary 9 to 13 is the Ice Climbing Ecrins in l'Argentière la Bessée. I set a 4 days course (10 > 13) with a great program: ice climbing (easy access to the climbs ) , movies, lot of beer !!. Send me a mail for more details

 We just finish to estabish a new sport climbing route on the Vuardes. It goes up to 7b+ (FF) and it's 250m long. A new classic calle "Monsieur 342" in memory of the famous french alpinist René Desmaison.

 This is springfall in chamonix, and the weather is absolutely great since 10 days. In mountain the gullies are wonderfull: lot of ice, good snow conditions. Many climbers are trying some nice routes from moderate to very hard one. Next week we go, one more time in Grande Jorasses. Lets have a look at my blog !!.

 Whoaa!! The weather in Norway was terrible : some strong winds, snow, cold...but after several days the sky was blue again over Hemsedal. So we were able to do some climbs such as Grotenutfossen or Nederrehgfossen...weird names but perfect plastic ice. A bit lower we went on the fjord of Laerdal : an ice climber paradise over the dark waters of the sea. An incredible place , for sure if you want to mix climbing and discovering a new country Norway is a place to visit !!. We'll be back in 2008 for great classics such as Hydnefossen or Thorfossen...

 27/02- Just back from the Rockies : the ice and snow were awesome overthere. We had some good fun while we were climbing some very nice and classicals waterfall ice routes. With Fabian and JC we went onto Lake Louise waterfall, and afer few days we were able to climb the world famous Polar Circus: what a day guys !!. For sure we'll come back next year for more mixed ascants...a radical experience !.

 At least ! some fresh snow is falling on the Mont Blanc Range. A little snow in the Chamonix city, but the forecast says that a depression might come with big snowfalls in the mountains. This means good ski for February Holidays :its time to wax your skis !!!

 31.01.07 - Yepeee ! Today, with Fabian & JeanSé we've just open a new route on the Tacul east face. 300m long, ice4/mixed4 - with 1 bolt / belay and 3 bolts on the hardest pitch. A future classic in the moderate climb!! We just saw the line this morning, and we were exactly looking for something like this !! Short approach, nice climb and good fun ... see the page topo for the photos and route ...

 Not far from chamonix the small ski resort of Ovronnaz is a paradise for easy ski touring. Last saturday we were heading up to point de Chermoz : the weather was great and the view on all the 4000 peaks of Valais was incredible. This small resort can offer nice ski amongst trees (good in case of white out !) and some easy walking allow to ski the white bowls surrounding the village. The area was very quiet : we bet, we won ...

 Ice Climbing in Cogne today. Even with these warm conditions we were still able to climb the Lillaz Gully : a great climb, not very hard, but technically interesting . Thin ice , mixed moves, and good fun for the team !! Louis really enjoys this route. It is a testpiece for anyone who want to check its skills on mixed ground. Next plan ? weather forecast says next days will be colder: it's time to up in Mont Blanc range and try some gullies. In the next news ...

 The Ice Climbing Ecrins of l'Argentière la Bessée has just ended. Ice falls were quite dry but the atmosphere was very warmthfull. Despite bad conditions we climbed Impatience (WI5), Delicados (WI5) and Monde des glaces (WI5). Every eveniing we've enjoyed some films of Banff Mountain Festval. Come next year with us to this major event !!.