Leaving CB in the summer time is tough, but the French alps provide an endless playground for rock and alpine excursions not to be missed. Having spent the past couple summer seasons guiding in Chamonix, I was looking forward to another exciting season in the big mountains

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With lots of late spring snow, and good weather through the center of the summer, most routes were in good condition through July and into August. The glaciers were full and the Alpine rock was baking in the sun. Between guided trips on Mont Blanc, the Breithorn, the Riffelhorn and the local via ferrata I was able to pull of some classic routes such as the Grand Capusian, The Augillle Doree and the south face of the Augille du Midi.

The climbing culture is vastly different in the Alps. During the summer climbing months, thousands of people head into the mountains. Local crags host families top roping near the center of town. The mountain trains and ski lifts take visitors and climbers to the glaciers edge, and mountains which required weeks for the first ascents are achievable in day outings with a stop at the mountain side coffee shop before and after the climb.

The few bad weather days encountered in Chamonix were quickly compensated for with a half hour drive through the tunnel under Mont Blanc to Italy. Frequently the Massif blocks the weather in to the north, keeping Italy and it’s amazing sport crags in the warm sunshine. Disappointed Mont Blanc clients quickly forgot about their summit bid while sitting in the coffee bar a stone’s throw away from the multipitch sport climbs they had just finished.

The Alps offer all types of activities in the summer. From trail hiking to ice climbing, glacier walks to mixed test pieces, and of course big mountain climbing. The infrastructure and mountain culture makes climbing in the Alps an experience all mountain enthusiasts should enjoy.

Posted By Steve Banks

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 1st, 2008 at 12:52 am and is filed under Alpine Mountaineering, General, Guide Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.