Chris Dickinson

Saas Grund, 11th Jan 2010

Saas Grund, opposite Saas Fee, was a fine ski area with some great runs on perfect snow with wonderful views west to the Dom.

One of the upper runs takes the glacier under the Weissmisse

The field was quiet, high and perfectly groomed, and 5000 feet vertical from top to bottom!

A quiet snowy village perches on an Alp opposite the mid station of the gondola

Gspon, Valais, Switzerland 10th Jan 2010

Sally and I drove from Geneva into the Valais and found a nice appartment in a house about a thousand or so feet up the valley side above Stalden, at the junction of the Saas and Zermatt valleys.

Here are some of the cute residents of Staldenried! We'd meet them each morning!

First day we simply climbed aboard the cable car that climbs through the village to Gspon and enjoyed a nice ski on this quiet little Alp on great snow, Sally enjoying her new Ladies Bandits for the first time.

Cloud fills the Upper Rhone Valley, looking down from Gspon Alp.

Lillaz Cascade, WI3 Cogne, 8th Jan 2010

Heavy snowfall sent us up to Lillaz Cascade to steer clear of avalanches. This is a nice route in the bed of a river amidst lovely scenery. Here James leads the first and longest pitch.

James leads one of the variations possible on pitch 3 and Chris (below) leads another.

Lillaz Gully WI4, Cogne, Italy 7th Jan 2010

Right above the quaint village of Lillaz, lies this classic gully route. Settled snow made the approach and climb pretty safe and 7 pitches, 5 of ice lead to the top. Justifiably a classic climb, with wonderful views out to Mont Blanc and a nice feeling of commitment inside the huge gully.

The climbs saves its best for the last two pitches. James led a nice two step ice pitch and I finished with the tricky but very enjoyable mixed 4+ pitch. Some fine moves up into a rock chimney finished with bomber placements to top out. We rapelled the route, stunned at the antics of a casual chamois on the cliffs to our right. Humbling!

Tuborg WI5, Lillaz, Italy, 6th Jan 2010

Set out from Lillaz, above Cogne, in Gran Paradiso area, to climb Tuborg. Routes were in lean conditions and slightly hard for grade. In spite of seeing someone take a leader fall on the first pitch as we approached, James was keen to have a crack. (Pic above - Italians taking right side) It was brittle, steep and hard and we both struggled, using copious quanities of aid! A stiff start for an ice trip. Second pitch was steadier at WI4 and I had just enough strength left in weak forearms to climb it safely. :-)

James completing the first pitch.

Argentiere, France skiing, 5th Jan 2010

Kicking off 2010 after being sick through Christmas and New Year with a great day on powder at Argentiere near Chamonix with James Kinnaird and friends

Great skiing en route to the village which lies in background of this pic!!

Organ Pipe Wall, Beinn Udlaidh 29th Dec 2009

Climbed Organ Pipe Wall 5.5 with James. First time I have really seen it looking complete.

A really good first pitch with an awkward crux section. A nice second pitch with some short verticals.

A classic day out and an excellent first route of the season. Cogne next week!

Tilton Gorge, Washington 18th Dec 2009

Nice day trip with Mark, Chris and Jared from Olympia, to the Tilton Gorge. Walls dripping with icicles from the recent cold spell.

Grand Canyon, Colorado River - Nov 29 - Dec 14 2009

Gained a private launch permit for Grand Canyon. Made up a team of 10 folks and headed for Flagstaff for the Nov 29th launch. Logistics from PRO. Team was: Chris, Callum, Stephen, Phil, Larry, Doug, Tim, Kevin, Oleg and Olga. Trip planned for 16 days and 236 miles.