Icicle Guides - Climb | Trek | Ski - July 2010 newsletter The panoramic photo above of the Mont Blanc massif and Rochers du Fiz was taken by one of our guiding team in the Aiguilles Rouges on Sunday. It shows the current snow conditions, as well as a stunning sea of clouds which has been a regular feature for the past few days. The higher mountains have great snow cover, whilst the trekking routes are now all clear of the late Spring snows, and the valleys are green and full of colour. The temperatures have fortunately dropped a little at the end of the month, which has meant better re-freezes over night for better snow conditions and less risk of rockfall. This is great news for the courses over the coming weeks, especially with the start of the busy August holiday season.   Last minute summer 2010 course spaces We have limited Summer course availability, as follows. Intro - 15-21 Aug, 29 Aug - 4 Sep, 12-18 Sep, 19-25 Sep. Mont Blanc Summits - 1-7 Aug, 5-11 Sep, 12-18 Sep, 19-25 Sep. Alpine Autonomy - 8-14 Aug, 22-28 Aug, 5-11 Sep. Matterhorn / Eiger - 5-11 Sep. TMB - 4-11 Sep. Monte Rosa - 22-28 Aug, 29 Aug - 4 Sep. Saas - 5-11 Sep. To check all the latest availability, click on the website link below, or call our Chamonix office to speak our experienced team of course advisors. Click here to view the latest course availability The highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc Our season for the summer trekking circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc is well underway, and already we have seen over ten groups complete this legendary hike. What really sets us apart is that we aim to stay in high huts each night, rather than in the valley floors, to enjoy the best scenery and locations possible. Our groups are briefed to travel light to avoid baggage drops each day that limit people to valley bases. It's no wonder that this high hut strategy is proving so popular for clients. Click here to link to the Highlights of the Tour Mont Blanc   Training for Eiger Mitilleggi or Matterhorn Hornli These routes are both coming into the key season for their summer ascents, and here are a few training tips for those making last minute preparations for their climb. As well as very good aerobic fitness it is important to improve leg stability and core strength with high step exercises. Step onto and off a bench height object for ten minutes with one leg leading, then another ten minutes with the other leg leading. This replicates the repetitive high steps needed for these peaks. Click here to link to the itinerary for the Eiger course   Latest news from Chamonix & climbing films Bastille Day in Chamonix was welcomed in with a firework display and the finals of the world climbing championships on a specially built climbing wall in the Place du Mont Blanc. The crowds loved it when the womens difficulty final was won by Charlotte Durif from France. The mens winner was RJ Puigblanque from Spain, but this was greed after Spain took the football world cup and the Tour de France too! View our latest videos from Chamonix by clicking on the link below. Click here to link to the Icicle films YouTube channel   Saas 4000m classic peaks course review This year has seen several Icicle groups peak bagging in the Saas region of the Swiss Valais. The Mischabel and Rimpfischhorn areas boast plenty of 4000ers, and some of the mixed ridges are amongst the best and longest routes of their grade in the whole of the Alps. Most of these Swiss peaks are adorned with ornate summit crosses, and they are served by a great network of huts. There are still two remaining spaces on the Saas course running the 5-11 September 2010. Click here to link to the Saas 4000m classics itinerary   Alpine Intro 4000m peak and skills course If there is one course that our guiding team love leading more than any other, it is the Alpine Introduction course. They know how exciting a first trip to the Alps can be, and how important it is to teach you on the key safety and technical skills. It is the start of an apprenticeship on the road to becoming a mountaineer, and this course breaks down the elements into bite sized chunks; crampon skills, navigation, ropework, abseiling, glacier travel, and a 4000m peak at the end of the week. Click here to link to the Alpine Intro 4000m course itinerary   Mont Blanc routes - Traverse vs Gouter This season we have had groups summit Mont Blanc by both the Trois Mont Blanc traverse and the Gouter routes. The factors that influence the guides decision as to which route you take include the risk of rockfall in the Gouter Couloir, your fitness and skill on steep ground, weather, snow conditions, and which route provides the greatest chance of reaching the top. Either route is a real challenge, but for details on the routes, visit the Mont Blanc pages and visit the 'mountain focus'. Click here to link to the Mont Blanc 4810m course itinerary Climbing the North Face of Gran Paradiso As promised in the last newsletter, here are some of the great photos from some guides and clients who ascended the classic north face of Gran Paradiso over the past few weeks. This collection is from Julian and Lynn on their climb. We are still seeing groups on some of the ice and snow faces of the Alps, with routes such as the Contamine Mazaud and Grizole on Tacul and the Demi-Lune on the Petite Verte still in very good condition. Our Tech Ice & Classics groups ascend these. Click here to link to view photos of this classic route www.icicleUK.com | info@icicleUK.com | UK 0845 058 98 78 | FR 00 33 67 55 621 55 We know how frustrating it can be staring at a computer screen all day, so if you are looking forward to your course, you can while away those long ours at the office by interacting with us via our web community by clicking on one of the icons to the right. Keep up with the latest news from the Alps by joining our Facebook group, following our Tweets, or just browsing the huge Picasa client photo gallery. The blog is updated by our Chamonix team, and is popular for those travelling to the Alps soon. Icicle Mountaineering is fully bonded in compliance with the EC Directives on Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours (TTA U3307). Icicle holds an Air Travel Organisers Licence (T7228). You have been sent this e-mail as you are currently subscribed to Icicle News. To unsubscribe, please click on the link below. We'll be sorry to see you go! If you have any queries about any of the features in this newsletter, or about our courses, then please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you. Chamonix Resort Manager sarah@icicleUK.com Click for feed