from Backwell, UK to Bariloche, Argentina
* Tour of Mont Blanc: 190km circuit around the mountain massif
* One week mountaineering course in Switzerland
* Trips on the glaciers around Chamonix and an ascent of Mont Blanc
After 18 hours spent on a Eurolines coach from London; I arrived in Chamonix in the blistering heat for what was to be 5 weeks of fun in the Mountains. As an introduction to the Alps I had decided to walk the Tour of Mont Blanc, a 190km trail with 10,000m of ascent.
I spent 5 Days on a Plas y Brenin Alpine Trek Course, improving my glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills. Based from Arolla ( the highest village in Switzerland) 5 days were spent on Glacial Terrain and 4 nights spent in mountain huts.
After my Alpine course I was keen to put my newly acquired skills into practice and headed back to Chamonix to do some more serious walks.