Don’t worry – this isn’t a bleat about winter being just around the corner, or dreams of pow! The Autumn season in the Alps has seen a good few snowfalls, but only up high as yet, and it’s really replenished a lot of the classic couloirs and mixed lines. In Chamonix there have been teams on Supercouloir of Tacul, and the German route, Mazeaud, and Chere couloir on the triangle. The ephemeral mixed north face routes on the Aiguilles du Chamonix have also seen some ascents.

Maybe it’s reports like this coming through, but lots of people have been in contact about climbing classic routes in Chamonix. We offer courses for this both in Summer (link) and in Winter (link), both on a 1:2 guiding ratio for 5 days. Both trips cost just £1099 including guiding and accommodation. In reaction to client suggestions, we have opened both these trips to both scheduled dates where clients booking alone can be matched with suitable partners, and now if there are two who are booking together any of these trips can be operated on any date you wish.

These trips offer exceptional value for money, and are aimed at those wanting to climb famous routes around the AD+/ D grade. Summer examples include the Dent du Geant, Midi-Plan traverse, Chere Couloir, Aiguille d’Entreves (see photo above), Gervasutti Couloir (Tour Ronde), or the South Ridge of Aiguille du Moine. Winter route examples are Chevalier Couloir, Arete des Cosmiques via Couloir-en-S, Pepite on East Face of Petite Verte, or even some grade IV / V waterfall ice. The choice is up to you, and you decide a suitable and challenging itinerary with your guide.