EVEN BONHOMME IS DRY AND SUNNY

This Alpine summer has been a poor one weather wise. No long spells of warm weather and blue skies for any length of time. The weather forecasts have also been wildly inaccurate and changing their predictions drastically virtually every day. This week as been no exception. A few days ago it was looki g great, then the day our TMB began it looked lime a wet and soppg affair. So surprise surprise we enjoyed dry and a sunny end on our walk over the Col de Bonnhome. It was bight, sunny & warm in the evening at Les Chapieux too!

TMB 36

Another wee blast around the Tour de Mont Blanc, 36th circuit for me. This trip we have a big group from Canada, Australia, USA and UK. Just for a change this time we enjoyed bright sunshine on day one,  Les Houches to Nant Borant via Col de Tricot. Its the busiest week of the trekking season so we weren't alone today and the local horses down at Chalet Miage were enjoying helping themselves to everyone's pic-nics!

IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL LAC BLANC

Joe, Cas, Barry & Dan had a spare day knocking about after the 'official' finish of their TMB trek. The sun was shining and they were keen to cram another action packed hiking day in before they all went off on their extended holidays all over Europe. I suggested Lac Blanc via ' The Ladders' as the route is commonly known. Another steep trek through forest from Tre La Champ brings you out to a rock band some 200m in height. This is easily overcome by a mix of steel ladders, Stemples, cables and wooden logs. We saw half a dozen young ibex roaming all over the trail and hillside. With great views toward Mont Blanc it made a fine end to the trip.
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FINISHING IN THE SUN

The team enjoyed their final two days on the TMB in dry and sunny conditions. Finally it looks like a settled spell of weather. Thanks to a great bunch of fit folk and some great craic along the way, always a pleasure. Back at 'Basecamp Chamonix'.

ATMOSPHERIC DAYS & LIVELY NIGHTS

After our luxurious days rest over at Dollone near Courmayeur the team were back on the road. Saturday saw us climbing into the clouds on what is the most scenic day on the TMB. The Monte de la Saxe ridge normally gives stupendous views of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses but as we were engulfed in the clag we could have been on a misty Scottish hill. We sat for our picnic lunch at 2400m and suddenly the clouds lifted and gave some great atmospheric conditions. At the summit of Tete de La Trenche we had some stunning views and it was well worth the effort. Rolled into the Bonatti Refugio just before the thunderstorm. Today on the route over the Grand Col Ferret we got a soaking in the morning but drier and some views in the afternoon.

BACK TO NORMAL ALPINE WEATHER

Guess what country we've just entered

After the rain and low cloud we started off from Led Chapieux with thinning cloud and that golden globe shimmering over the Col de La Seigne. Welcome to the heat of Italy and Mo the Bianco clear in the blue skies. The group were treated to beautiful Alpine weather and glorious views on this, one of the finest walking days on the TMB. After the cols descent its back up another 600m after lunch and then a big traverse above Vsl Vaney. To top the day off we had a Golden Eagle soaring directly above us. Descent into Dollone near Courmayeur for a well earned beer and rest day to follow after a 10 hour journey.

TMB 35

My 35th Tour du Mont Blanc underway with a very fun group, comprising 7 folk from Australia, 2 USA, 2 Israeli guys and one person from Ireland and another from Finland. The unsettled weather is continuing and our first two days of the trek was in very low cloud and rain. The group were full of excitement despite the non Alpine weather. Lots of interest despite lack of views - wild flowers, climbing ibex and whistling Marmottes to keep us going. We must be in for a better August?

CHAMONIX

Arrived in Chamonix last night for my second stint of work on Tour de Mont Blanc's this summer. Well while we enjoyed a wonderful week or more of superb hot weather at home in The Highlands the same can't be said out here. Seems like the unsettled theme as continued in much of The Alpine regions since I was last out at the beginning of the month. This morning, however, any cloud disappeared off Mont Blanc and it was lovely and hot. I quickly got through all my admin stuff (yawn,yawn) and had a late morning dash up to Plan Praz which lies below the Aiguille Rouge mountains on the south side of the Chamonix valley, giving great views of Western Europe's highest summit as well as a host of other wonderful peaks- The Aiguille Chamonix, Aiguille du Midi and Aiguille Verte were all poking their spires out of the cloud. My first trekking group arrive tomorrow and then away Tuesday for  another fabulous spin around the TMB.

BIKING & SCRAMBLING ON BRAERIACH - BEFORE THE HEAT!

Lovely scrambling with Loch Einach and Sgor Gaoithe behind

Loch Eianach looking tempting for a swim

One of the best biking routes in The area - Glen Einach, views all the way

Best of the scrambling on the arete

Braeriach's plateau

Recent rockfall covering the path up Coire Dhondail

The weather is becoming rather predictable, another clear skies glorious morning and the heat soon with us. There was a nice wee breeze today, setting off up Glen Einach on the bike early doors to beat the mid day sun. There is a lovely wee scramble on the spur which runs from the pateau of Braeriach, bounding the south side of Coire Dhondail. Guaranteed to see no one here, its a very short affair and a bit vegetated with some loose rock but still a fine way to get onto the hill and with glorious views of Loch Einaich and Sgor Gaoithe in the background. Descending via the stalkers path that runs back into Coire Dhondail it was a surprise to see quite a large amount of recent rock fall which as wiped out around 200m of the path. Here it is quite loose and a lot of mud, despite the hot, dry weather. Take care here over the next few weeks.
So was that the last of the very hot days? Looks like a few showery days and a bit cooler over the weekend. Perfect timing for my departure over to Chamonix tomorrow as I begin another stint of TMB trips in The Alps. Now have The Alps come out of their mixed winter weather?

SUNBATHING ON BEN VRACKIE

Summit sunbathing with Beinn a' Ghlo in the distance

A good path up

Going lightweight today

Ben Vrackie

Taking it easy in the sun

A notch up on the temperatures again today, in the high twenty's. Blue skies and wall to wall sun. A journey south and meet up with Paul, Izzy & Gerry from Stirling. We had a very relaxed stroll up the lovely wee hill of Ben Vrackie above Pitlochry in deepest Perthshire. A nice catch up with friends and a day to take it easy in the heatwave. Plenty of sunbathing on the top and another stroll back to the flesh pots of Pitlochry for ice creams. My rucksack was on the 'minimal' side today, how refreshing!