Skiing Le Tour..

Neil Johnson and I skinned up to Col de Balme today from Le Tour for a bit of exercise.

Despite the fresh snow in the Chamonix valley last week the weather has remained particularly mild with a foehn wind at times. Despite this the Grands Montets and Aiquille du Midi lifts should be opening on Saturday.

Back in Scotland it sounds like conditions have been good. Dave Hollinger, Di Gilbert and Rich Bentley climbed 'Sidewinder' VII,8 on Ben Nevis' South Trident Buttress. Martin Moran and Pete MacPherson also made light work on 'Sioux Wall' VIII,8.

All in all it sounds like Scotland is the place to be just at the moment with colder conditions than continental Europe..