BYNACK MOR

The Barns of Bynack 

The finest feature 

2nd Munro this week for Craig & Lynne 

Great clarity 

Afternoon sunshine and light 

Good here

Barns

Clambering 

Great clouds 

Breakfast at Glenmore

It's been a fair while since I last wore a fleece top or waterproof jacket on the hills, over 5 weeks ago. Even here in The Cairngorms it has been t-shirt and shorts conditions. Today was even warmer and sunnier than yesterday. Day two for Lynne and Craig on their 5 day walking holiday with me. Once again the weather forecast had changed overnight, for the better The threat of showers had vanished. Instead we had beautiful sunshine throughout. Another Munro day, Bynack Mor was our hill choice. This fine, isolated hill gives some beautiful spacious views and of course the highlight is the Barns of Bynack. How many folk have 'bagged' this Munro and not been to wonder at the granite monolithic tors? We had lunch down at this marvellous feature. Beautiful clarity of light, the haze of yesterday had gone. Another top day in the Cairngorms National Park.

HOME TO THE CAIRNGORMS

Craig and Loch A'an

Nice afternoon views

Coire an t-Sneachda 

Ben Macdui viewpoint

Craig & Lynne's first Munro

Quiet mountains 

The finest view in the Cairngorms 

.....agrees Lynne

Cairn Gorm and Loch A'an

A very green plateau 

Braeriach views

Nice to be back home and in the Cairngorms today. The next 5 days I am guiding Craig & Lynne from Seattle in the USA. Today we kicked off the week in grand style by walking up to Ben Macdui. With Tarmachan Mountaineering we give the finest days out as possible. Taking in the finest viewpoints, more interesting routes and quiet places.  We had a good wander into Coire an Lochain then over to Macdui's summit. On our return we got off the beaten track and over to the finest view point in the entire Cairngorms,  the lip of the Feithe Buidhe Slabs. Stunning afternoon with bright, warm sun. T-shirt weather all day. The hills were quiet, unlike last week in the Alps on the TMB. Peace and tranquillity reigned supreme. A top day out and stunning weather and lovely folk.

TOUR DU MONT BLANC, FINAL DAY

Terry on the Ladders

Fine day again

Waterfall on the Grand Balcon Sud 

Clear morning on the big mountain

Doug on the Ladders above Argentiere 

Yours truely putting his feet up

Final day of this Tour du Mont Blanc.  The section from Argentiere back to Chamonix has many choices, short or long. On a fine day it would be an insult not to go high. The Ladders on the Aiguillete de Argentiere crags are a fun way up on the Aiguille Rouge side of the valley. Busy again here so not much chance of seeing any wildlife (good area for ibex & Chamois). With the Flegere teleferique being replaced this summer it now makes a long decent back into the valley if you decide to carry on up to Lac Blanc. With this in mind we decided on traversing the Grand Balcon Sud path and then down to Chamonix. End of the trek and another fun TMB with my small group of four.
I have been guiding for Alpine Treks again on this trek. A great summer and a fine company to work for. If the guides like working for specific companies then the groups must love it too! www.alpinetreks.com

CHAMONIX VALLEY

Col de Balme 

The quieter side

Aiguillete de Posettes 

Tete de Balme & Mont Blanc 

Ridge walking 

Quiet moments 

Always busy here

No one at Tseppes 

Mont Blanc & Aiguille Rouge 

Trient was absolutely mobbed with folk last night. Good reason to choose a quieter route to ascend Col de Balme. The Tseppes Alp trail is beautiful and quiet. We didn't see a soul. Another scorching hot day with valley temperatures in the mid 30's again. We set off  early doors at 0730 to be in the cooler conditions. Of course it's a certainty that the col itself will be busy. We  arrived mid morning so plenty of time to go over the scenic Aiguillete de Posettes before dropping down to the valley. Another Golden Eagle soared directly above us on the ridge down to Le Tour. Again I didn't take the camera! At last a thunderstorm this evening but very little rain. Another hot day tomorrow for our final day and return to Chamonix.

FENETRE ARPPETTE

The Fenetre Arppette route from Champex to Trient is arguably the toughest of any sections on the Tour du Mont Blanc. This 'varient' is steep,  craggy, high and challenging terrain with boulder field and rocky steps in places. Today I had Doug join me for this day. Another very hot but beautiful clear skies. We we're up and over and finished within 7 and half hours. The fastest I've ever guided this. There were two folk above us in the boulder field section who were well off route and clumsy,  kicking off lots of rock onto us and two other folk. It was a relief to be away from them.

SWITZERLAND

Morning light,  Grandes Jorasses 

Mont Dolent 

Nearing the Col 

Light & shadow

Purple Gentian

Martagon Lily 

Grand Col Ferret 

Grand & Petite Ferret 

Nottingham Catchfly

Alpine

Navigation 

Today we head into Switzerland over the Grand Col Ferret. The highest col on the Tour du Mont Blanc but not the toughest day. Easy ascent with plenty of coffee stops! Another hot and dusty day in 'The Office'
www.alpinetreks.com