BACK HOME TO THE SUNNY CAIRNGORMS

Solitude along the Fiacaill Ridge

Loch Avon basin and Shelter Stone Crag

Stag Rocks & loch Avon

Coire an t-Sneachda from Fiacaill Ridge

The Reindeer herd seen up high today and this wee one enjoying the sun near Cairn Gorm summit

Loch Avon bathed in sun

Leaving Chamonix yesterday in drizzle, arriving in Edinburgh and a fine sunny spell for late summer. Today it was a glorious morning back home in Aviemore so a wee wander onto the Cairngorm plateau. I headed up onto the Fiacaill Ridge in solitude. The day soon warmed up after a chilly start and by the time I headed over to the top of Hells Lum Crag it was lovely and warm. A fine stroll around the rim of the Loch Avon Basin before heading up the back of Cairn Gorm and it was here that I saw the first people. Lots of wildlife today: Dotterel, Golden Plover, Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting, Mountain Hare and the Reindeer herd high up on the plateau.

LE GRANDES FINALE

Final day of this TMB and another beautiful sunny day after some early cloud disappeared. As today is a short trip over the Col de Balme I took a few folk from the group over the spectacular Croix de Fer to make the most of the lovely day. Its a bit airy in places but wonderful ridge walking soon brings you to a fab view point looking toward the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc. A grande finale to end the trip.

NEVER ENDING BLUE SKIES

A glorious sunrise on Mont Blanc this morning with great views from our overnight at the superb Refugio Bonatti. Another cool airflow giving wonderful clarity to the air. An easier day on the route. Over the Grand col Ferret into Switzerland and another day of mountain views with wall to wall blue skies.

MONTE DE LA SAXE ON A PERFECT DAY

The day dawned cold and clear for the finest day on the TMB- Monte de La Saxe. We were in lovely warm sun from the Bertone Refugio onwards. A stunning day with perfect temperatures and as the air was cool the clarity of light today was amazing. The views over to Mont Blanc and the Grandds Jorasses were beautiful.

MONTE BIANCO

We woke to rain and low cloud at Les Chapieux this morning. The weather front was a weak affair though and by the time we descended into Italy from a chilly Col de La Seigne the cloud began to break. This day of the TMB is the longest and the best is to come in the afternoon. Another 600m of up hill gives the finest views of Monte Bianco above Val Vani. Beautiful clear skies by mid afternoon as we traversed the meadows to Col Cheruit. This is one of the finest days on the TMB and one to savour. Weather looking fantastic for the rest of the week and beyond.

COL DE BONHOMME IN BLUE SKIES

For my second trip on the trot there was blue skies over the Col de Bonhomme. It's usually a wet affair in these parts especially when overnighting at Les Chapieux which is renownd to be a damp spot with all the leaders working on TMB's. Not today though as we relaxed in the late afternoon sun at La Novas beer garden.

IS THIS THE ALPINE SUMMER AT LAST?

A look at the weather forecast for the coming week is looking like it could be sun every day for over a week! Summer in The Alps at last? TMB no 38 this week and another big group of 11 from Canada, USA, Bulgaria and NZ. The temperatures were much lower in the valley which makes for perfect walking heat. Big day over Col de Tricot and down to Nant Borant. Great views of Domes de Miage.

FENETRE ARPPETTE

A reasonable weather forecast and a fit group this trip so today we took the high level alternative to the standard Bovine Route, The Fenetre Arppette Col route. At 2665m it is the highest col on the TMB but it is also one of the toughest days with steep ground and bouldery terrain. There are fabulous views all day with a feeling of wild terrain and not many folk around, just a fraction of TMB'ers walk this section. The Trient side of the col is even more spectacular with close up views of the Trient Glacier. It was a chilly day high up but good sunny spells.

MONTE DE LA SAXE

The finest day of the TMB and a welcome return of the sun for those wonderful vistas of Mont Blanc and the Grande Jorasses. The weather this season has been so fickle that to time a beautiful day with the best walking day is rather lucky.

COL DE LA SEIGNE & ITALY

The biggest day on the TMB, Col de La Seigne then the high level traverse above Val Veni. Unfortunately it was cloudy and views limited high up. We still got some nice atmospheric glimpses of Monte Bianco before dropping down to Dollone and the land of pizza & ice cream.