THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS!!

Patri in Cogne Italy. Its been a long week that has held a number of simply amazing days on the hill. It all began on Monday with Seb and Rob with some ice climbing at Chaterlard, followed by one of the best days so far this season. We all went to Cogne in search of that special Italian Chocolate, instead we found one of those days. Its hard to describe a day that is just so magical, its not just one aspect but many that merge together to create some thing that approaches heaven. Seb and Rob were great company, the weather was simply stunning and the climb in the best condition I have ever seen it. The beer at the end was quite Delicious and was a fitting topping to a splendid day. Brad and myself on the Aig Crochues Wed saw Seb and Rob have a day off to rest those tired forearms so it was back on skis with Brad and Oli Sherman for myself. Again it was another supered day. We skinned up to the Col de Crochues and then shouldered the skis on our backs before traversing the Aig Crochues. This proved a great mountaineering trip with a great summit (and an amazing lunch thanks to Brad, no wonder his sac was so heavy!!). We then had a short ski on the S side of the Col Du Dard before skinning up to the Col de Belvedere. We rapped the top section, which gave us access to some great untracked snow before we tree bashed our way down the Berard valley and then to Le Buet. Brad then very kindly offered to buy Oli and myself dinner here in Mont Saxonnex and we all had a great evening so a huge thanks to Brad. Oli and Brad on the summit. Thursday saw Seb and Rob tackle the steepest ice they have yet done and they put in a huge effort. I think it would be fair to say that they were both happy when they reached the top, it was a fine day out and a fitting end to a great few days out with the boys. Friday was back to Cogne with Hannah for her first taste of outdoor ice. She performed like a pro on Cascade Lillize but I'm not too sure if it was the climbing or the hot Chocolate in the sun afterwards which was the day's highlight for the girl....well done Hannah awesome effort!! Sat saw Darren and Mike don crampons for the first time and instead of starting on something easy we blasted the Cosmiques Arete on the Aig Du Midi. Again it was great weather and the route was in very good condition, the boys really took to it all as if they were seasoned climbers. They grunted and groaned a wee bit but I for one was very impressed by what I was witnessing. They even impressed a couple of girls at the top with their chiseled mountaineering looks. Darren and Mike with a wee drop under their feet! Darren with the Everest Summit pose....nice one!! Finally it was back to Cogne on Sunday with our good friends Gavin and Ali, after such a cool time on Tues there I decided to return to the climb Patri. It was still in stella nick and it gave another fine day of ice climbing with both Gav and Ali climbing in fine style despite the huge day on the day before with Guy on the skis. They both borrowed my Nomic ice axes for the last pitch and it looked like they fell in love with them!! The walk out I think was the crux for all of us with the path seemingly never ending, but as it always does the end came...finally. And thus was the week that was, hard work at times but some wonderful memories with old and new Friends in the hills. Thank you one and all who made the week so special and I look forward to our next adventure together.