Arolla Classics and Fine Dining
~ Sunday, 9th August 2009
The past week here in the Valais Alps has been tremendous for some quality climbing on the classic routes around Arolla. The week started off with some poor weather, which put a bit of snow down to 3000m.I was working with Matt Helliker, for Martin Moran on an intermediate alpine 
course and our four clients were up for an adventure and a challenge.We started off at the Vignettes hut, snow on the way there, blue skies the following morning. Snow however, scuppered our plan to traverse L'Eveque, so we climbed the normal route instead. Still no mean feat, with some pitching 
required on the upper snow slopes and rock ridge. Next up was a full traverse of the Pigne d'Arolla and Mont Blanc de Cheilon. Clear skies, good snow and dry rock made for a fantastic journey. The long haul back to Arolla was brightened by plenty of flowers in the pastures below the Pas de Chevres. A 
fitting finale plan was hatched and off we went to the Tsa hut after a restful morning and some cragging. Dinner on the terrace in full view of tomorrows objectives was a fine way to spend the evening. The West ridge of the Dent de Tsalion and the Aiguille de la Tsa gave us some sensational climbing, rounding off a superb week.
Many thanks to Matt Helliker, Les Murray, Deszo Hajdu, Dave Beaumont and Robbie Warriner for all their efforts and fine achievements.
