I have been in the alps for the last couple of weeks enjoying the good weather and fresh snow. As such posts have been a bit thin on the ground. Andy Turner has been busy though, climbing 'Green Gully' IV,4 on Ben Nevis with Lucy and Nile earlier in the month.

It appears that the Scottish winter season has finally finished and folk are making the most of the good spring conditions in the Peak District. Here in the alps there was excellent powder conditions for off piste skiing in La Thuile (Vallee d'Aosta) early in April. Last week Dave, Hannah, Mark, Des and myself headed down to the Vanoise region for a few days ski touring.

Although a bit icy in the morning, there was some good spring snow to be skied later in the day if you were on the right aspect slopes.

In Chamonix the climbing conditions are generally good with fairly mild temperatures. Routes such as the 'Supercouloir', and 'Legarde Couloir' have seen a number ascents recently. In addition Toby Keep and partner climbed the '1938 Route' on the North Face of the Eiger. This still highly respected classic has seen quite a few ascents recently suggesting that it's in good icy condition.