Hooked on Chamonix ice

Steve and Natalie Liles are regular rock climbers and valued visitors to the shop so when they started gearing up for an intensive first time Alpine Ice climbing course run by Scotsman Jim Blyth of Chamonix we figured we'd hassle them for some photos on their return. Steve and Nat had wanted to develop winter skills for some time but because of their rock climbing experience were more interested in the technical aspects of steep pitch cascade climbing than in general mountaineering.

The emphasis with this course is rapid progression onto fairly steep and technical routes using the quality conditions and cascades of the Chamonix and Aosta Valley regions. Early training started on the easier angled pitches at La Cremerie near Argentiere before moving to other areas in and around Chamonix and culminated with a three day visit through the Mt Blanc tunnel to Cogne in Italy for some steep and technical cascade climbing.

The Alpine Ice courses are directed by Jim Blyth and are an ideal way of getting up to a good technical level quickly if you're a fit and active type who has some rock climbing experience and a head for heights. Jim has 10 years experience of climbing ice in these areas and is a talented mountain guide and instructor who is usefully fluent in French!

Steve and Nat completed the course last winter in fantastic conditions and are already planning to go back again to do more as well as squeeze as many trips in Scotland as possible. Having worked in the Aosta Valley for several winters, Si at the shop knows how accessible the ice climbing is there and can confirm Steve's verdict of the place. Get yourselves out there if you get chance!

The relevant guide books for ice climbing in the area are the Cascades autour du Mt Blanc series. Volume 1 covers the French side and Volume 2 covers the Italian side. We usually keep them in stock or are happy to order them for you. Course details as enjoyed by Steve and Nat are available on the Jagged Globe website. The following is a short description of their itinery...

"Our Alpine Ice course takes in 2 great ice-climbing venues. With easy access and a mix of icefalls of varying degrees of difficulty, Chamonix is a great place to start the week. On Wednesday, we make the short journey through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy. Here we are based in Valnontey, Val de Cogne on the Val d'Aosta side of the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy. Cogne is famous for its huge variety of over 200 waterfalls. They freeze in the winter months to form perfect icefalls, from short pitches particularly suitable for novices to more challenging and longer routes. Our Guides are mostly English speaking British Mountain Guides who are either based in the Alps or know the ice climbing areas extremely well

We are based at two excellent family run hotels, Hotel de L'Arve in Chamonix and La Barme in charming Valnontey. Both have a sauna to help you unwind before dinner! Course duration is 3 nights in Chamonix and 3 nights in Cogne."

Thanks to Steve, Nat and Jagged Globe for this item.

Photos courtesy of Steve Liles and Tom Briggs