Final weeks in the Alps…
Nick loving the Brandler Hasse
Nick and I made a dash to the Dolomites from Chamonix…Nick didn’t know where they were…..
We made a quick recce around to the N Face of the Cima Grande and to scope a fairly damp Brandler Hasse. In the afternoon we climbed 4 pitches of the magnificent Murro Gallo then had an early night.
Next morning we set off up the mega classic BH whooping our way up the wall…even the soaking wet bits that forced the use of some aid.
Both of us fully inspired for some more Dolomite action ASAP.
Brandler Hasse…..where the climbing starts!
After that I went back to Bregaglia working for Alpine Guides and enjoyed some perfect granite around the Albigna cirque and back up on the Badile.
Topping out on the famous Fiamma, Albigna
This led straight into a weekend up on the Gran Paradiso. The plan was to climb it via the classic N Face which after the long hot summer looked very doubtful….
At the rimaye it all looked not too bad though we took a line to the left of the normal line through some more mixed terrain towards the scenic NE ridge…..the contrast of climbing on a face with no one else to the scene we met on the summit was hilarious. Literally hundreds of people strung out along the ordinary routes….all having fun though.
Summit chaos on the Gran Paradiso
From there I sped over to sleepy Arolla for a perfect weather week with the Mountain Medicine Diploma and the fun of working with some good friends from N Wales and Chamonix.
Aig Rouges, Arolla
It Was cold and crisp everyday just as it should be by mid September. Great and rowdy banter in the huts and pristine views of beautiful mountains from each summit.
Downhill on Mt Blanc du Cheilion and all the way back to N Wales
From the final summit of the Cheilion it was downhill via Servoz then all the way back to sunny Wales.
The end of a great sunny summer with heaps of varied climbs and summits.
Swiss big ones
