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  • Whilst touring the US in 2004 I slept in my car in a forest above Yosemite Valley. Grizzly bears roamed somewhere nearby, and this was the view from Glacier Point at dawn.

    Whilst touring the US in 2004 I slept in my car in a forest above Yosemite Valley. Grizzly bears roamed somewhere nearby, and this was the view from Glacier Point at dawn.

  • Pool Yosemite Valley US 2004

    Pool Yosemite Valley US 2004

  • A bunch of very brave hang-gliders launched from Glacier Point, soaring out over Yosemite Valley before eventually touching down far away.

    A bunch of very brave hang-gliders launched from Glacier Point, soaring out over Yosemite Valley before eventually touching down far away.

  • In 2003 I worked briefly in Seattle. Mt Rainier was the main serious mountain nearby.

    In 2003 I worked briefly in Seattle. Mt Rainier was the main serious mountain nearby.

  • In 2008 I toured the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies - quite possibly the world's most beautiful road. This is Crowfoot Glacier & Bow Lake.

    In 2008 I toured the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies - quite possibly the world's most beautiful road. This is Crowfoot Glacier & Bow Lake.

  • Mistaya Canyon Rockies Canada 2008

    Mistaya Canyon Rockies Canada 2008

  • Lake Morraine Rockies Canada 2008

    Lake Morraine Rockies Canada 2008

  • In 2008 we climbed Mt Snowdon - Wales' highest peak, shown behind Jasmijn here - again. I've now summited it four times. The Snowdon Horseshoe takes in four other peaks surrounding some stunning alpine lakes, and is the most beautiful ridge walk in the British Isles.

    In 2008 we climbed Mt Snowdon - Wales' highest peak, shown behind Jasmijn here - again. I've now summited it four times. The Snowdon Horseshoe takes in four other peaks surrounding some stunning alpine lakes, and is the most beautiful ridge walk in the British Isles.

  • Crib Goch is a knife-edged ridge forming part of the Snowdon horseshoe leading toward Mt Snowdon. It's one of my favourite places, although the weather is frequently bad.

    Crib Goch is a knife-edged ridge forming part of the Snowdon horseshoe leading toward Mt Snowdon. It's one of my favourite places, although the weather is frequently bad.

  • Waterfall Valle Maggia Switzerland 2009

    Waterfall Valle Maggia Switzerland 2009

  • The Italian ski resort of La Thuile connects to the French resort of La Rosiere, allowing skiers to ski across the border several times daily. This ruined stone hut is one of several on the Italian side, abandoned long ago.

    The Italian ski resort of La Thuile connects to the French resort of La Rosiere, allowing skiers to ski across the border several times daily. This ruined stone hut is one of several on the Italian side, abandoned long ago.

  • Chamonix is the world capital of Alpinism and offers plenty of brilliant skiing, and also ice-climbing and mountaineering. I skied to this point just below the tongue of the Argentiere Glacier - a top location for ice-climbing. Avalanches and collapsing ice bridges regularly boomed whilst I was eating lunch.

    Chamonix is the world capital of Alpinism and offers plenty of brilliant skiing, and also ice-climbing and mountaineering. I skied to this point just below the tongue of the Argentiere Glacier - a top location for ice-climbing. Avalanches and collapsing ice bridges regularly boomed whilst I was eating lunch.

  • In 2009 I signed onto a course to climb Mt Blanc - Europe's highest summit, at 4,807 m. Day one involved ice climbing on the Mer de Glace glacier.

    In 2009 I signed onto a course to climb Mt Blanc - Europe's highest summit, at 4,807 m. Day one involved ice climbing on the Mer de Glace glacier.

  • Our guide 'challenged' us on Day 3, with an ascent of a 90 m 70 degree ice face, leading up to the summit of Petite Verte here. It was utterly terrifying, but our success allowed us to proceed to the main ascent of Mt Blanc the next day.

    Our guide 'challenged' us on Day 3, with an ascent of a 90 m 70 degree ice face, leading up to the summit of Petite Verte here. It was utterly terrifying, but our success allowed us to proceed to the main ascent of Mt Blanc the next day.

  • There wasn't a lot of space on Petite Verte's summit.

    There wasn't a lot of space on Petite Verte's summit.

  • To begin our ascent of Mt Blanc from Aiguille du Midi, one first has to navigate the east ridge. From a rock tunnel one exits an ice cave onto the ridge.

    To begin our ascent of Mt Blanc from Aiguille du Midi, one first has to navigate the east ridge. From a rock tunnel one exits an ice cave onto the ridge.

  • Other than a vertical abseil, the ridge is the only way down to the glacial plateau, about 200 feet below. It's frequently swept by high winds, blizzards, and has no hand rail. A fall to the right culminates in a few minor crevasses after perhaps 150 feet. A slide to the left lasts only about 30 feet, before you go over the edge - after which your fall would be uninterrupted for thousands. I found the descent of the ridge to be a novel but highly effective means of waking up.

    Other than a vertical abseil, the ridge is the only way down to the glacial plateau, about 200 feet below. It's frequently swept by high winds, blizzards, and has no hand rail. A fall to the right culminates in a few minor crevasses after perhaps 150 feet. A slide to the left lasts only about 30 feet, before you go over the edge - after which your fall would be uninterrupted for thousands. I found the descent of the ridge to be a novel but highly effective means of waking up.

  • Aiguille du Midi ridge climbers 1 Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

    Aiguille du Midi ridge climbers 1 Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

  • Andy - also from the UK (Rt) and I were short-roped to our French mountain guide, Phillipe (Lt). Here we're ascending the Aiguille du Midi ridge after Day 2 acclimatising on a lesser peak nearby.

    Andy - also from the UK (Rt) and I were short-roped to our French mountain guide, Phillipe (Lt). Here we're ascending the Aiguille du Midi ridge after Day 2 acclimatising on a lesser peak nearby.

  • Cornices on Mt BLanc du Tacul, during my ascent of Mt Blanc via the three monts route.

    Cornices on Mt BLanc du Tacul, during my ascent of Mt Blanc via the three monts route.

  • After narrowly surviving Mt Blanc (at least, if felt that way), we stayed the night in the Cosmiques hut, at the Col du Midi, 3,800 m. The brilliant summer weather allowed these very tough campers to avoid hut fees.

    After narrowly surviving Mt Blanc (at least, if felt that way), we stayed the night in the Cosmiques hut, at the Col du Midi, 3,800 m. The brilliant summer weather allowed these very tough campers to avoid hut fees.

  • Climbers leave the hut for the summit of Mt Blanc in the small hours of the morning. The first batch usually leave at 02:00. Few are left at dawn, like this climber.

    Climbers leave the hut for the summit of Mt Blanc in the small hours of the morning. The first batch usually leave at 02:00. Few are left at dawn, like this climber.

  • Col du Midi sunrise purple Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

    Col du Midi sunrise purple Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

  • Col du Midi sunrise orange Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

    Col du Midi sunrise orange Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

  • After surviving Mt Blanc, I gladly swapped my unyielding plastic mountaineering boots for super-comfy running shoes and hiked the blissfully oxygenated valley trails, whilst regrowing the skin on my feet and face. I'd been 'trashed by the mountain', as is common.

    After surviving Mt Blanc, I gladly swapped my unyielding plastic mountaineering boots for super-comfy running shoes and hiked the blissfully oxygenated valley trails, whilst regrowing the skin on my feet and face. I'd been 'trashed by the mountain', as is common.

  • I headed into the opposite mountain range - the Aiguilles Rouges. This is Lac Lachenal.

    I headed into the opposite mountain range - the Aiguilles Rouges. This is Lac Lachenal.

  • Lac Lachenal sunset Aiguilles Rouges France 2009

    Lac Lachenal sunset Aiguilles Rouges France 2009

  • Above Chamonix the Brevent ski area became packed with paragliders taking off in good weather.

    Above Chamonix the Brevent ski area became packed with paragliders taking off in good weather.

  • This glider is 'touching' the Dome de Goutier, which is part of the Goutier route to the summit of Mt Blanc visible to the left.

    This glider is 'touching' the Dome de Goutier, which is part of the Goutier route to the summit of Mt Blanc visible to the left.

  • Bossons Glacier paraglider Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

    Bossons Glacier paraglider Mt Blanc Massif France 2009

  • Our 2014 descent of the famous North East ridge of Aiguille du Midi, in the Mt Blanc Massif, French Alps, made most interesting trying to balance skies, without crampons, on ski boots with almost no grip. A 6,000 foot fall awaits any who slip to the left.

    Our 2014 descent of the famous North East ridge of Aiguille du Midi, in the Mt Blanc Massif, French Alps, made most interesting trying to balance skies, without crampons, on ski boots with almost no grip. A 6,000 foot fall awaits any who slip to the left.

  • My 2014 ascent of a 300 m coulaire leading from the Argentiere Glacier toward the summit of Petit Verte in the French Alps, assisted by a wonderful guide called Julien. I'm a beginner who barely knows how to arrest a fall and that snow is sometimes loose… I survived mostly by not looking down.

    My 2014 ascent of a 300 m coulaire leading from the Argentiere Glacier toward the summit of Petit Verte in the French Alps, assisted by a wonderful guide called Julien. I'm a beginner who barely knows how to arrest a fall and that snow is sometimes loose… I survived mostly by not looking down.

  • At 1,886 m the Red Crater is the high point of the Tongariro Crossing in the middle of New Zealand's North Island. Dec. 2016.

    At 1,886 m the Red Crater is the high point of the Tongariro Crossing in the middle of New Zealand's North Island. Dec. 2016.

    19 Red Crater rim 3

  • New Range view Eastwards

    New Range view Eastwards

    Scottish Highlands, Feb. 2020

  • Ben Nevis from the East

    Ben Nevis from the East

    Scottish Highlands, Feb. 2020

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    After narrowly surviving Mt Blanc (at least, if felt that way), we stayed the night in the Cosmiques hut, at the Col du Midi, 3,800 m. The brilliant summer weather allowed these very tough campers to avoid hut fees.
    Climbers leave the hut for the summit of Mt Blanc in the small hours of the morning. The first batch usually leave at 02:00. Few are left at dawn, like this climber.
    Col du Midi sunrise purple Mt Blanc Massif France 2009.jpg