Here is a photo from last weeks groups on Mont Blanc, of Francis guiding Jim to the summit. We have received a lot of e-mails from clients eager to get an update of early season conditions, and the reports are very good. There is plenty of snow up high above 3500m, but not too much. Good re-freezes are making rockfall very rare, and the glacier conditions are safe. We have had groups summit eight of the Alpine 4000m peaks already this season, and the reports across the Alps are similar. The early season conditions are very good, and it is a relief that this is the case after a low snowfall winter season.