Italy - Entreves/Rocheforte

Sam Lodge from the Uk came over to Chamonix this week to join me for a week of Mountaineering. We started the week heading over the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massive to climb the Entreves Traverse and the Arete de Rocheforte.

Walking over to the Entreves.  Dent du Geant in the background

Rock climbing on the Entreves

Early morning light on Mont Blanc

Scrambling up to the Arete de Rocheforte

Classic knife snow arete.  Italy on the right, france on the left

Climbers on the Arete de Rocheforte

The final summit rock face

Looking back on the arete and the Dent du Geant

Heading back for cappuccinos

Gran Paradiso

With the weather forecast looking straight awefull my guests and I just in the car and headed through the Mont Blanc tunnel for the highest peak in itatly, the Gran Paradiso.

 Gran Paradiso on the right

 Approaching the hut

 The Chabot Hut - Nicest hut i have been in yet

Was a little busy today

the Lady Madonna

Rest Day Pics

A few pics from a little rest day walk around the Aiguille du Mid.  In case you haven't figured it out already.. Chamonix is sick!!!!!!!!

 People on the Midi-Plan Traverse

 Some wild ridge walking on the Midi-Plan traverse

 The Tour Ronde North Face and the Petit Cap on the right

 Climber topping out the South Face of the Aiguille du Midi

 The Bossons Glacier

The bridge off the midi... and a bird

Mont Blanc - On Top June 13 - 14

First Mont Blanc summit of the season!! Working for On Top Mountaineering from Canada we managed to sneak a summit in the best weather we have all month!! Perfect condition right now!!

Perroux Gully

Back up the Aiguille du Midi and over to the Tacul. This time with Chamonix virgin Andrew Wexler from Canada. It was his first time, so we started out slow with a nice romp up the mixed route "Perroux Gully" which is located not more than 30feet away from the Chere couloir. This was my second time on the route. The last time i remember absolutely no ice on the route and therefore some desperado mixting. This time not so much, amazing neve with splitter granite cracks for pro. Go do it!

Wexler is a Mountain guide... says so on his jacket. Isnt that cool?!?!?

Wex cant find the mountains....

Boulangerie, check... still cant find the mountain...

Cant believe all these people found the mountain befor we did!!!

Some French army people getting in the way of my photo of the righteous Grande Jorrasse.

Le Grande Vert and the Aiguille du Plan in the foreground

Wex

4th pitch

Some vrais alpinists descending the Tacul

Chere couloir - Vid

Chere Couloir, Cosmiques... Again

Steve H leading a little mixed pitch on the Chere

Aaron B on the last pitch of the Chere

Aaron B cruising on the Cosmiques