http://aliandlay.com Hillwalking and mountaineering in the UK and Europe Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:02:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Today we wake to improving weather and leave the hut at 8 am.  As yesterday, our objective is La Luette.  This time, however, our route will require us to cross the Luette glacier. We rope up and Ali leads the initial steep section up onto the glacier itself.  We proceed with caution.  Our knowledge ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/26/crevasse-hunting/ Back at the Dix, Rob Wills, a British IFMGA guide introduces himself to us in the boot room.  Due to heavy snow conditions in Chamonix he has brought his clients over to Arolla in search of better conditions. Rob is not just making polite conversation - as a professional guide he gathers ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/25/back-at-the-dix/ We awake at 5:30am to the ominous rumble of thunder outside the hut – not a good omen to start the day.  After a quick gear cluster faff I head downstairs to find Pierre, the hut guardien. I eagerly state “La Luette!” in response to his enquiry as to our route for ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/25/la-luette-3548m/ Having negotiated the ladders and crossed the Cheilon glacier we arrive at the Dix Hut perched below a rocky knoll known as the Tête Noire at 2,928m.  [singlepic=253,360,480] The Dix has room for 150 people.  Given it's location on the classic Chamonix - Zermatt  haute route it is one of the most popular mountain huts in ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/24/dix-hut-cabane-des-dix/ [flashvideo filename=wp-content/video/ArollaLadder2.flv image=wp-content/video/ArollaLadder2Poster.jpg /] At the far side of the Pas de Chèvres is a dramatic drop down a steep rock face which is negotiated by descending 30m (100 feet) down two metal ladders bolted to the rock.  No easy task when wearing stiff soled four season boots. Ali goes first but ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/24/pas-de-chevres/ We start from the central square in Arolla around 9am following the well signposted path to the Hotel Kurhaus which is situated above the rest of the village.  Alas our trip falls too early in the season for this hotel, with its impressive views, to be open. [singlepic=209,480,360] The imposing north face of Mont Collon (3,637m) dominates the ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/24/arolla-to-pas-de-chevres/ The trip out to Arolla was straightforward - Easyjet flight from Gatwick to Geneva, train to Sion and a bus from there to Arolla.  Smooth as clockwork, but then again isn't that what you would expect from the Swiss?    [singlepic=207,480,360] We checked into the Hôtel du Pigne d'Arolla for one night. http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/23/arrival-in-arolla/ Here is a list of gear taken to Arolla: 50 litre rucksac 50 m rope (9.1mm, dry treated, dynamic - obviously) 4 season boots and crampons ice axe climbing helmet climbing harness layered clothing system gaiters warm hat, neck guard / buff Gortex outer gloves and liner gloves waterproof jacket and overtrousers We, like the Cat from Red Dwarf love shiny things so ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/22/alpine-gear/ Following recommendations from Simon Hale and on various Outdoors Magic postings,  we have changed the plan for our first alpine expedition.  Chamonix, our original destination can be somewhat intimidating to novice alpinists, it would appear - especially those that are going without a guide! The new venue will be Arolla in the Swiss Valais and we ... http://aliandlay.com/2007/06/12/arolla-expedition-planning/ [flashvideo filename=wp-content/video/NantlleRidgeEmMark.flv image=wp-content/video/NantlleRidgeEmMarkPoster.jpg /] http://aliandlay.com/2007/05/27/nantlle-ridge/