August 17, 2012
IMG guide Matt Farmer sent these photos from the summit of Mont Blanc early this morning (France time). He is one of the guides on a private Mont Blanc trip training and climbing out of Chamonix this week. The weather looks awesome. They will spend the night at the Gouter Hut this evening then back down to Chamonix to reunite with the entire team.
George Dunn
August 2, 2012
All smiles at the summit!
We just received a summit shot from part of the Classic Alps team currently in the field. Part of the team crossed the border into Italy to climb Grand Paradiso, the only 4,000 meter peak solely within Italy. The photo was taken on July 31. The entire team is now back in Chamonix doing some final climbs as the end of the trip nears.
George Dunn
July 30, 2012
Team members approaching the summit of the Breithorn in Zermatt. Behind them is another 4,000 meter peak, Pollux. Members also climbed this peak, of which the trail is just visible. (Photo: Liz Smart)
Guide Liz Smart checked in from the Alps Classics program yesterday. Everyone is doing great and getting in lots of climbing, sightseeing and culture.
So far members have been able to climb the Breithorn and Pollux in Zermatt. They next traveled to Wengen for an attempt of the Jungfrau. Bad weather prevented them from completing the climb, but the team was able to do a mountain “tour” and then hiked the Eiger trail below the Eiger Nordwand. The team will split to tackle different objectives over the next few days. Guides Liz and Forest McBrian are taking four members down south across the border to Italy to attempt Grand Paradiso (another 4,000m peak) today. They will stay at a hut at the base of the mountain tonight, climb tomorrow and stay at a second hut, and then return to Chamonix on Wednesday. Guide Margaret Wheeler will take two members up on Mont Blanc today and then go up to the Tete Rousse hut tomorrow, climb on Wednesday and stay at a higher hut, the Gouter, and then come back to Chamonix on Thursday. The entire group will reunite in Chamonix for some additional climbing before the program end.
George Dunn
July 24, 2012
Members in the photo include John C., Cheryl H., and guide Margaret Wheeler. (Liz Smart)
We just received a report from guide Liz Smart on the Alps Classics Program. On Day 1 everyone summited the Rifflehorn during a rock training session.
The team rode the cograil train back down from the base of the Rifflehorn to town and will spend another night at their hotel in Zermatt. Tomorrow they head up to climb Pollux (4092m) and will stay overnight at the Val d’Ayas Hut on the border between Italy and Switzerland. It appears that conditions are good and the team is off to a good start!
George Dunn
July 18, 2012
The Rimpfischhorn (4199m) was a great experience but unfortunately the winds kicked up to approx 70- 80kph at 3750 meters and the team wisely turned back. It was good acclimatization and good practice for mixed ice and rock, nonetheless. They headed back down to Zermatt for an evening in the hotel, then back up the other side of the Valley via a gondola ride to the Klein Matterhorn. From here they had an excellent climb of Pollux (4092m) on July 18.
George Dunn
August 15, 2011
Climbing in the Alps.