January in Chamonix can be frustrating. Chest deep snow, mind-numbing temperatures and low psyche usually mean you go out the door with skis rather than axes. However, once you realise this you know what to aim at.
With the sun hitting the Rive Droite earlier than in December, routes such as Shiva Lingam and Icelander are now no goers. However, much fun has been had on the other side of the valley, especially on "Tequila Stuntman", a wacky mixed route, kind of like a hard scottish 7 in to a delicate stalactite for another 30 metres. I unexpectedly took a sizeable winger off the easy part of the stalactite due to careless tapping.......
A homesick Pete Benson along with Mr uber-psyche Bullock have been up to a lot of new routing in the same area. Funky pitches of very scottish climbing have been put up in the VII's and VIII's, four of which Jon Griffith and i have repeated in the last couple of weeks.
Also managed a quick trip to Cogne to tick the classic “Repentence Super”- a gobsmacking line with some funky cauliflower formations on the lower pitches.
Now off to Kandersteg for a few days. Word is “Crack Baby”, the area’s test piece is a goer........
With the sun hitting the Rive Droite earlier than in December, routes such as Shiva Lingam and Icelander are now no goers. However, much fun has been had on the other side of the valley, especially on "Tequila Stuntman", a wacky mixed route, kind of like a hard scottish 7 in to a delicate stalactite for another 30 metres. I unexpectedly took a sizeable winger off the easy part of the stalactite due to careless tapping.......
A homesick Pete Benson along with Mr uber-psyche Bullock have been up to a lot of new routing in the same area. Funky pitches of very scottish climbing have been put up in the VII's and VIII's, four of which Jon Griffith and i have repeated in the last couple of weeks.
Also managed a quick trip to Cogne to tick the classic “Repentence Super”- a gobsmacking line with some funky cauliflower formations on the lower pitches.
Now off to Kandersteg for a few days. Word is “Crack Baby”, the area’s test piece is a goer........
Above photo's- Tequila Stuntman, and Homage to the Homeland.
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