In the first of a 2-part series, Alun Richardson discusses what constitutes scrambling terrain and covers grades, equipment and venues
Mont Blanc Italian Route
For a more ‘off-the-beaten-track’ experience on Mont Blanc, the Italian Route via the Gonella Hut takes some beating, says IFMGA Guide Ben Tibbetts
Preparing for glacial crossing
Preparation for glacier crossing should be meticulously prepared and rehearsed, so that no time is wasted either setting up the basic moving-together system or any of the techniques that may subseqently follow…
Ski mountaineering – packing your bag part 1
Here Mark is looking at what you should pack for a day out ski-touring in the Scottish hills.
Testing the snow pack
There are a number of tests that can be done to assess the state of the snow. None of these should be taken in isolation, but used to help build up a picture of what the snow conditions in that immediate area are likely to be…
Clove hitch
This is an extremely useful knot, and it is used throughout all areas of mountaineering. Its simplicity of tying, allied with its ease of adjustment, make it ideal to secure yourself to an anchor system. It can also be tied with one hand, a useful property when needing to arrange an anchor whilst holding on to the rock or an ice axe for security…
A Beginner’s Guide to Backcountry Ski Touring
With more and more of us exploring the winter mountains on skis, Sophie Nicholson examines the appeal of backcountry skiing and advises on how you can do it too
Kingsley Jones: Alpine Diary, part 7 – Land of Rock and Fire
You’d be excused for thinking this was a blog about Iceland, with a title of ‘Land of Rock and Fire’, but no, it’s a Chamonix and alpine conditions update!