ice climbing

Posts

Ski Touring, Off piste, Mountaineering course, Alpine Energy Guiding, mountaineering & ski adventures, Andrew Lanham Mountain Guide, Chamonix, Aosta Valley, Swiss

Winter 2021 Skiing & Mountaineering with Covid…?

We want to get out here without endless Covid stresses…!


Some ways to plan when planning is not possible!

Like in the mountains, adaptation and flexibility are key! Keep fit, have your gear sorted, check which countries don’t have quarantine on arriving and or returning to your country. Have an open mind to new destinations. This year might be the time you inadvertently discover a hidden gem with amazing ski touring with no one around…

Ski Touring away from it all

Ski Touring instead of lift accessed skiing may be the way to go this year. Don’t rely on infrastructure that could be closed by governments, aim for Ski Touring and Ice Climbing until things are more stable. Not only does ski touring lead you to fresh tracks and gets you fit, it also takes you to remote, beautiful places you would never experience otherwise.

The Norwegian mountains are remote and beautiful…

More remote, less classic destinations could be a good option. The most strict Covid precautions are always imposed in the most populated places. Contact us about cool destinations off the beaten track where extreme restrictions haven’t been implemented and are unlikely to be implemented due to being more sparcely populated.

Ice Climbing, winter wonderland

Variety is the spice of life, if you love the mountains, try something new: ice climbing in Scandinavia for example. The autumn and winter can have great conditions for rock climbing in southern europe. Right now we’re rock climbing in Greece which is perfect.

Vallee Blanche, Valley Blanche, Ski Touring, Off Piste, Chamonix Ski Guide, Chamonix, Skiing, Ski Guide, French Alps
The excitement and perfection of an untouched slope!

Many times I’ve left my home with my skis in hand, slightly worried and uninspired that I wouldn’t be able to offer the perfect ski day to my clients, only to be surprised by a great day when everything seemed against us. Other times, I’ve expected amazing conditions and been a bit disappointed, probably due to my high expectations not being met. The best experiences are never planned to be that way, they happen kind of spontaneously when we enjoy the journey and embrace the moment.

Ski Touring, Chamonix off piste, Mountaineering course, Alpine Energy Guiding, mountaineering & ski adventures, Andrew Lanham Mountain Guide, Chamonix, Aosta Valley, Swiss
Bootpacking to good times!

We can design flexible offers for ski touring, rock climbing or ice climbing. We’re ready to adapt to the situation, so won’t ask for any money upfront. Get in touch to make plans!


Latest Posts

Social

https://www.instagram.com/alpineenergy/

https://www.facebook.com/alpineenergyguiding

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2csGeTAy7Q96fwzxiajjfw

Ice Climbing, Mountaineering course, Chamonix ski guide, haute route, chamonix climbing, Chamonix freeride, Chamonix mountain guides, Swiss mountaineering

a cogne classic

That familiar ring tone of the alarm that breaks the silence of the night, an unwelcome visitor arriving well before sunrise, this is the standard start for a day trip to the ice centre of Cogne in Italy. After the obligatory coffee and croissant stop in a warm Italian café, Magnus and I set off down the trail as the first glow of a new day toyed with the jagged horizon of the Gran Paradiso range. Being early and Monday we were first at the foot of Repentance in the Valnontey valley.

repentance

repentance

IMG_2659_2

starting

P1000275_2

Magnus reaching the belay, pitch 1

P1000278_2

Start of pitch 2

IMG_2670_2

leaving the belay on the third pitch

P1000292_2_2

topping out on the first steep wall

IMG_2690

the team on the plateau above the route

Le Tour, Swiss Alps, Mountaineering course, Chamonix ski guide, haute route, chamonix climbing, Chamonix freeride, Chamonix mountain guides, Swiss mountaineering

ski and ice pics

Some skiing and ice climbing shots from the last week of outings:

Sunset on Swiss Alps from Tete de Balme on an evening ski tour a few weeks back.

Sunset on Swiss Alps from Tete de Balme on an evening ski tour a few weeks back.

P1000182_2

Moody sunrise on the rime plastered granite spires of the Grand Charmoz

P1000243

Climbing through the mixed section of Lillaz Gully with the village of Cogne 600m below.

P1000251

Couloir skiing off the Grands Montets yesterday.