Hi,

Up in the morning tomorrow at 5am and away half an hour later, there is a good mountain 1 hr south of Napoli to climb down about Salerno with views over the Amalfi coast.

I'm in my final training climb before Skye, yeeeeeeeeeeha!

C

Hi
Good pictures Whitts, but nekid, I don't think!

Have also been wondering about those 5 corbetts at orchy but the drops are a bit off-putting! Better luck next time!

Finally got round to putting on my pics from last weekend when we walked the South Glen Shiel Ridge in the scorching heat. It was fantastic and really made up for the last time I did it 5 years ago when all I saw all the way along was my friend's back, due to the rain, sleet, wind and mist! This is a brilliant walk and I'd love to do it again someday.

Photos Here

Cheers,
Sheila

Hi Sheila,

Again thank you very much for your wonderful pics !!! Great views... and how many Munros did you climb with your friend ? Was that 7 Munros ?

Greetings from the Alps,

Lionel

Hi Lionel
Thanks, glad you liked the pics. Yes, it's 7 munros but not as bad as it sounds as the drops are not to bad, only once does it drop down below 800m once you are up on the ridge. The total distance we did was 21k and we were lucky to get a lift back up the 8 miles of road to the Inn, because I didn't fancy having to cycle 8 miles uphill after all that!

Cheers,
Sheila

21 km !!! Well done Sheila.

Here are some pictures of my la-*test*-('") walks in the Alps in July as my friends and I, we keep training for our walks in Scotland.

The first walk was the Mont Billiat ridge (1901m) in early July.



Dominique and Christine after the very steep descent of the "Pas de l'échelle" (the ladder step).



The whole of the Mont Billat ridge seen from the Pointe d'Ireuse (1900 m)



The Mont Blanc seen from the distance.



The tiny Chapel on top of Niflon moutain : "The Lady of the Snows".



Back to Seytrouset, the "alpage" where Jean François and Christine own a chalet that we used as a hut to stay overnight.



Back for a nice meal after a long 7 hour ridge walk.



Enjoying some nice red wine after the walk.



Christine and Jean-Francois' chalet (hut) where we stayed overnight.



Sunset on the mountain village.



Greetings from France.

Lionel

Hi Lionel
Great pictures! Mont Billiat ridge looks very steep and exposed! How narrow is it there and do you have to use your hands much? The huts look a bit better equipped than our bothies! Very nice!

Cheers,
Sheila

Fantastic photos & breathtaking scenery Sheila, looked like a awesome day for you ...hehe bet the beer went down well that night

And then the second long walk we did, my friends and I with a total ascent of 1700 m (the same ascent as climbing Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg arete).

One week ago we went to climb Mont Buet (3100 metres) near Chamonix.

We started from the village of Vallorcine located on the French and Swiss border near Chamonix.



Then we walked in the Valley of Berard along the stream.



We are now higher in the Valley of B�rard.



The valley is a bit wider with beautiful views.



We reached then the Refuge de la Pierre a Berard. A hut partly built under a huge stone. We stayed overnight at the hut and got up at 6:00 AM to carry on our ascent of Mont Buet. Above the hut, the landscape becomes wilder when we get some altitude.





On higher ground (2500 metres of altitude) there is still some snow and we head to the direction of Mont Buet's summit.





The views over the Mont Blanc range are just fantastic !!!



No grass or flowers left... we are nearly at the altitude of 3000 metres.



Follows on the second post.

Second part of the Mont Buet walk :

After we walked a bit of the ridge, we reached the summit, a long and round hump : 3100 metres. The temperature on top is between 5 and 7 degrees celsius. It's quite chilly. Down in the valley the temperature was a bit more about 35 degrees Celsius.



Astonishing views from the top of Mont Buet.



We are above the glacier of Mont Buet - Tre les Eaux.



We admire the Aiguilles Rouges (the Red Needles) from Mont Buet.



And the Glacier of the "Red Needles", les Aiguilles Rouges.



On our way back we took a little detour via Col of Salenton.



At the Cairn on the col, we had a chat with a couple of English hillwalkers.



As we were sitting we saw some "bouquetins" just above us.







Follows on third post.

End of the Mont Buet walk.

Then we went down back to the Valley of Berard.



A picture of Mont Blanc seen from Mont Buet.



Sorry, one picture was missing : the Hut of the Pierre a Berard where we spent the night.





Greetings from the Alps,

Lionel

Sheila,

Yes indeed Mont Billiat ridge is very narrow and exposed. The path is not even shown on the official maps. It's only a narrow path (two people can't walk on it side by side) and in some places, there are impressive hights on both sides. For exemple, on what they call "Le Pas du Taureau" (the bull step) you have to walk four or five steps on an extremely narrow bit of rock with hights on both sides. You musn't make any mistake in your steps !!!

In winter, Mont Billiat is also very popular for free-ride skiers !






Christine and Jean Francois's chalet is nicely equipped and very comfortable. Jean Francois has got a special place in the hut with a collection of nice bottles with local home-made alcohols (mainly aqua-vit). Very nice.

Greetings from the Alps,

Lionel

And don't sneeze either!

Exactly Sheila !!! I didn't think about that. Now the step looks even more scary !

God bless you.

Lionel

Well, I spent Sunday trying to help with my fear of heights. Met up with Tiz for a bit of scrambling (you sneeked that one on me), climbing wall then a wee wander.

First part of the day was a scramble up Burrington Coombe. I didn't know this was on the cards and Tiz said he'd class it as a Grade 2 scramble. Must admit I wasn't having fun doing it but it was well worth it when we got to the top.



Then we went to the climbing wall. First time ever for me. The letting go of the wall and holding onto the rope was hard as was looking down to find foot holds ! Made it up to 25ft by the end of the session so I'm pleased! Tiz took this action shot. Fancy another go today!



The wall...



After that it was off for a big carvery lunch....mmmmmm then a wee wander on the Mendips at Charter House. Loads of insects and flowers and sunshine. Lovely!



All in all a fantastic day out!

Well done Jacqui...you must be well on your way to curing your height phobia...not sure I could do it!!!