truenorthalpine

Ledge life - some pics of approaching, climbing and sleeping on “Biografiz” (380m, 8a max, 7b obl.) on the Paroi D’Anterne last week with Olivier Bigini.

A phenomenal route from Bouvard and Musatto and even more phenomenal that they bolted this thing ground up - what vision!

We had originally planned to climb a multipitch route together in the Verdon, but with a period of stable high pressure dominating in the mountains at home, we decided to make the most of great conditions locally and headed to “the Fiz.”

Big thanks to Olivier for suggesting this one, being a strong partner and most of all, knowing how to put up the portaledge 🤣 (neither of us had slept on a portaledge before)! It was an awesome trip up there 💪

🧊 ICE CLIMBING COURSES AND GUIDING Jan/Feb 2025 🧊

If you’re a beginner looking to take your first swings or a more experienced ice climber hoping to be guided on some harder classics, then drop me a DM to book your ice climbing trip for this coming winter.

Venues: Chamonix, Cogne, Kandersteg, La Grave, Ceillac, Argentiere La Besse, Norway (to name just a few.)

Bespoke trips tailored to your exact requirements.

Dates: availability through January and February 2025.

“Legendary Walls” - AUTUMN ROCK GUIDING - VERDON GORGE, FRANCE 🇫🇷

Want to spend a week climbing world class, classic, multipitch routes on perfect limestone? Be upskilled both technically and tactically, so that you can go away and tackle multipitch rock climbs independently with greater skill, efficiency and ultimately, more enjoyment? Then this is the week for you!

This trip is perfect for climbers who are able to second routes graded French 6a-b on limestone (or harder up to a max grade of 7a.)

You will:

- climb world classic multipitch routes
-improve rope management skills (single or double/twin, managing ropes effectively on belays and changeovers), tactics (including hauling a bag, block leads vs leading through, using a tagline), multipitch rappels.
- improve your technical climbing and psychological game

Dates: 2/11/2024 to 29/11/2024 (Arrive Saturday pm, leave the following Saturday morning)

Places: 2 (I can run this 1:2 or 1:1) Please note that it is important that the levels of the participants are similar if the week is ran with 2 clients.

Included: 5 days guiding out of 6 days. All guiding fees. Guide’s expenses.

Not included: your personal expenses eg, travel to the Verdon, your accommodation and food etc.

If you’re interested in climbing with me in this mythical French rock playground, drop me a DM for pricing and further details. 🙏

Other dates also available.

A selection of pictures from a superb week of ski touring in the Adamello area of Italy with Phil and Fiona.

Some good stints of uphill trail breaking and well earned untracked powder descents.

Thanks for a great week.

British Mountain Guides
Scarpa UK

A great few days skiing in and around La Grave with Daily top up’s of fresh snow and quiet tours - perfect 🤩

Thanks to Robin and Marlon for looking after us.

Back on the rock yesterday 🧗🔥, for what I realised was the first time since mid-November 😳

Climbing in a t-shirt in the sun in mid-Feb didn’t feel much like winter, but certainly got me psyched for pulling on little crimps and piecing together the puzzle 🧩



📸 climber (Martial??) working on the top pitch of Dents De La Mer yesterday.

“I was pretty new to the winter game, maybe even still a teenager, and thought the onesies made them look like proper pros!”

“I doubt that surviving the 100m fall had anything to do with his one piece suit, but thinking back to my Scottish winter climbing career that followed, they’re a really good idea and I’d wish I’d had one on a lot of those humid turbulent days!”

This winter I’ve been wearing the Alpine Suit. I’m super impressed with the attention to detail and unhindered movement it allows for technical climbing. It feels like a weatherproof fortress, something I really appreciate in day to day work as a mountain guide.

It’s also attracted a lot of attention so if you’re interested, I’ve penned a comprehensive review over on (link also in my bio).

Photos by Jon Bracey, Thomas Weber and Rebecca Dent 🙏

I spent the last 2 days observing the Cascade ice guiding course ran by for aspirant guide

Thanks to Jon and Luke for having me along for these 2 fun and rewarding days and I look forward to being involved with this course in the future.

Aspirant guide on the Cascade Guiding Course today, convened by

Primo spring touring conditions in the Aravis for a ski date with today.

(Except it’s 4th Feb, not actually spring 🤦‍♀️)

Still, the 🌽 was pretty damn tasty 😋

Fun mission in the mountains yesterday with ever-psyched

When I get a message off Jon asking “are you free tomorrow?” My usual response is “what for?” as it’s always best to know what you’re letting yourself in for 🤣

Totally worth being free for this any day of the week though.

Thanks for the invite and for a top day Jon.

Last week I spent some lovely days ski touring with Conditions were positively spring like, considering it’s still January!

We sought out the sunny sides, skied some great 🌽 and also had a beautiful and deserted day in the Aravis with surprisingly nice snow and cool, cotton wool clouds.

Thanks for coming skiing with me again this season Andrew and look forward to seeing you in Austria later in the season.