The summer season is in full swing in the Alps and it’s nice to find a little time to reflect on some great climbing so far, aswell as a few lovely little nature experiences.
My season started in June with the British Mountain Guides alpine training course. This course is always good fun and busy, bringing the BMG candidates up to speed with all things alpine for a safe season of Aspirant guiding ahead. We climbed mainly in Switzerland, the Perrons, Pointes des Mourti, Dent de Rosses, Portjengrat, Dri Horlini and Weissmies were used.
A great week followed with a father and daughter team. Day trips, via ferrets, climbing on the Wiwannihorn and a traverse of the Pigne d’Arolla gave us a magical although, very hot, week.
Then a busy spell came my way, too many days in a row, but that’s what happens sometimes. A couple of alpine training courses for some university climbing club students and a fun team from Holland made this period pretty special. Strahlhorn, Allalinhorn, Dri Horlini, Jegihorn, Weissmies, Pigne d’Arolla were all climbed. Thankfully temperatures were a little cooler and the snow cover was good. It was interesting to note how much the summit of the Pigne had changed in shape in only two weeks. Alot of ice had gone!!
At the end of this work I had a little time to enjoy a little nature photography around Evolene. A simple walk amongst the long grassy tracks reveals so much, especially early in the morning, when the butterflies and bugs are not so active. Highlights were a Spurge Hawkmoth and the caterpillar of a Swallowtail butterfly, both firsts for me!!
