Gran Paradiso - a 2009 odyssey

2010-01-30T09:17:00.001Z

And where are we going this year?

And there's even a bit of video!

2009-11-28T23:50:00.001Z

So it's over - the last photos

2009-11-28T22:27:00.001Z

A few months on and I've finally got around to putting up my pics (long story). A fantastic time and we are looking forward to doing something next year! See all my pics at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/gough.chris1/GranParadisoAlpsWalkingWeek?feat=directlink

2009-08-16T15:51:00.001+01:00

Link to Chilt's photos .

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/markchilt/GranParadisoJune2009?feat=email#

A selection of shots.

2009-07-05T16:27:00.000+01:00

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/markwilliams921/SelectParadiso?feat=directlink

2009-07-01T21:47:00.005+01:00

HOW GOOD WAS THAT?
discuss............

Food for thought.

2009-06-01T10:49:00.001+01:00

Mountains are the means, the man is the end. The goal is not to reach the tops of mountains, but to improve the man.

Walter Bonatti. Italian climber.

Photos of the first night's accommodation.

2009-05-28T21:09:00.001+01:00

http://www.rifugiobezzi.com/gallery/gallery_e.asp

Mr Gough Lardy Arse Update - 4.5 months in

2009-05-25T23:46:00.002+01:00

Well I stepped on the scales today and nearly fell over. 15 st 11 (101kg) which means I've lost 1st and 3lbs since the first weigh in at the New Year. Still 4 weeks to go to the big one so hopefully a few more pounds will be left behind!

Lake District with Sandbach Round Table 41 club (17-18th April)

2009-05-25T14:15:00.003+01:00

Well it was my birthday on the 17th and whilst my wife was in US playing with horses, I took a trip with 17 of the Sandbach boys to the Lakes for a 3-day 2-nighter. Plan was for a walk by half the team on the Friday followed by a full trek up to Helvellyn via Striding Edge on the Saturday. Tea in the pub on the Friday night and a Table dinner at the Glenridding hotel on the Saturday night. And it all went according to plan!

First walk was at Haweswater - about an 8 mile warm up walk. Bit cold and breezy on the top mind. Thanks for the birthday wishes on the top and thanks to Mark W for the miniature (which he then drank most of!).

Stayed in the 18 man "hostel" thingy where great breakfasts were whipped up by the team on both mornings.

Main walk on the Saturday was to do Striding Edge to Helvellyn and then back via St Sundays Crag (the "Creaky-knee-brigade had a get out clause on the return leg and took the valley route). Great weather today, sunny but cool breeze, brought out the masses to the Edge and Helvellyn. Tried out teh new rucsac which seemed to work well!

Dinner at the hotel was a pleasant affair with a poetry competition - thanks for the 6th place Levitran prize - I'll let you know if it's any good!

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/LakesWithSandbach41Club17thAnd18thApril2009?feat=directlink

Needs a catchup

2009-05-25T14:09:00.002+01:00

Been a bit lax of late on the blog so the next few postings are a catch up of training walks been had since beginning of April.

Nige debuts on the Roaches

2009-04-05T23:11:00.003+01:00

Perfect walking day - sunny but cool. Tried the Roaches again without the Gradbach Wood bit. Turned around and walked the lower valley instead. Good 3.5 hours walking.

Nige says boots are breaking in well. I think mine are now fine. Now we just need Mr Chilton to buy his (and try them out!)

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/TheRoachesWithNige5409?feat=directlink

Where's the bleedin' sun?

2009-03-25T21:10:00.002Z

Saturday 21st, weather forecast - cracking the flags. Mr Williams dons suntan lotion on sensitive pate at 8am - debates requirement for waterproofs, Mr Gough wears sunglasses for the first time in 09. 9:30am up Hanging Stone, 10:00am up Roaches with hats, gloves and fleeces. Bloody freezin'! What is going on with the world?

Anyway, decent walk over Gradbach, Ludd's Church and The Roaches. Marky Mark took new GPS and we still managed a short detour! The good thing was we knew exactly how far we'd walked 15.5km. Not bad in the new boots and Mark decided his new ones were going so well that he'd try sinking them ankle deep in mud - and they passed the test.

Very surprised that the next day didn't have any pains at all despite the slick pace we kept up during some of the walk and with the weight of the boots. Must be getting fitter.

More pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/TheRoachesAndLuddSChurch21309?feat=directlink

Sandstone Trail pt2

2009-03-15T16:00:00.003Z

Well I couldn't wait until next weekend to try out the boots (everybody had an excuse this weekend except me - perhaps that just means they have a social life and I don't!).

Anyway I went on stage 2 of the Sandstone Trail - this bit was around the Delamere Forest area. Because the sections are circular walks, doing the whole 32 mile trail is going to take me more than double that number of miles to complete but then who wants to do 32 miles in one go?!

So set off from Barns Bridge car park at 9:00am (did it slightly different from what the book suggests but it just makes the parking easier), and wandered up the Delamere Way to get back to the point of the Sandstone Trail where I broke off it last time. Of course, doing it this way means I also cover a big chunk of the Delamere Way as well (and some parts of the Eddisbury Way!). Three hours walking in glorious sunshine. First time this year I've only had to have two layers on and no fleece. Pretty straightforward walk but a few sweaty uphill bits.

Still of course the aim was to try the boots. Well, it went well. They felt a bit weird at first with them having such a stiff sole. You get a sort of rolling effect as you walk. But after half an hour I got used to them and they seem fine. Heavier than my usual boots and I did feel this on the old calves. Just means more training!

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/SandstoneTrailPt2?feat=directlink (although even though it was a pleasant walk there weren't that many views!)

The boots are in the bag!

2009-03-05T20:54:00.003Z

After much eBay searching, googling, shop searching, arse scratching and other procrastination, I've got the boots that are going to take me up the mountain. Can't wait to try them out.

Lovely Raichle 60-degree GTX. Every review I've read gives it big thumbs up and I've walked them around the house and they're lovely! The drool is on the other side of the boot!

Crampons, ice axe mmmm, what to do?

More pics from the Shropshire Hills.

2009-03-04T09:34:00.001Z

http://picasaweb.google.com/markwilliams921/LongMyndMarch2009#

More pics from Snowdonia.

2009-03-04T09:14:00.001Z

http://picasaweb.google.com/markwilliams921/GlyderFeb2009#

Martin feeling it!!!

2009-03-01T23:28:00.004Z

Bit of a video from the Glyder walk last week. Martin makes his pain felt!

The Long Mynd Walk

2009-03-01T20:40:00.004Z

Another Sunday and another walk out into the great wide world. A new location this week - the Long Mynd in Shropshire near Church Stretton. (I remember going there with school 30 odd years ago but apart from that none of us had been there before.

Walked along the Mynd, down through the farmland and Wentnor and then back up the hill before lunch at the top.

Early start today (9am walking) and covered about 8 miles. Bit drizzly at the start but cleared up and the sun broke through - fantastic views from the top! Lots of opportunity for more walks in the area - any takers?

Notice the nice blurry effect on the main picture? That's condensation on the lens from my own personal sweat - yummy! More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/LongMynd1309?feat=directlink and Mr W has more (when he puts them somewhere!)

Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and a couple of other places we didn't intend to go to!

2009-02-23T21:00:00.003Z

9:30am Sunday morning and three intrepid men (and a couple of doggies) set of for a jolly tour around the Glyder horseshoe walk. Aim was to reach the 999m of Glyder Fawr.

Weather at the bottom was cool but the tops were clearly in the cloud.

Scrabbling up the wet rough scree to the top of Glyder Fach was the first real test of the legs and boy was it hard work! Wet, slippy, snowy and a real slog. Top was completely misted over but we managed a few photos on the Cantilever rock at the top. Had lunch and picked up a couple who weren't sure where they were going (and we had two maps so we must know!).

Lunch was a very cold affair but Mr Williams managed to sneek a can of Guinness in (kept that one quiet!).

After lunch we headed for the main peak with the other couple in tow. An hour later we were back at the same point after having veered off the wrong way - it really was very misty!

Still we got back on course again and for a brief moment the top halves of our bodies were more than 1km above sea level (bit of a stretch for Mr Williams!).

That's when the land decided that it wasn't going to match what was shown on the map. After walking downhill for what seemed a very long time, the mist cleared and in front of us was a road that wasn't supposed to be there! The options we had were to traverse a really dodgy scree slope or walk back up. It was 3pm by now and my legs were certainly attuned to the back seat of the car and the last thing they wanted to do was to go back up again. Sadly and painfully, it was really the only choice. So we (well me at least) pushed through the pain barrier and we headed back up. After a mega-windy section we found the right path and headed down (big relief and we didn't need to call out the mountain rescue as the couple had suggested - last time they tie themselves to people with two maps!)

It was clearer later on and got a few reasonable pics of the lakes on the way down.

The good news was that this was a really good test for my knees. I had a nagging worry at the back of my mind that I was going to get the same problems as I had had in the Lakes last year, but they held up well and whilst a bit stiff the following morning there was no real pain - hoorah!

Lots more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2Q4ah8PiNb9vOJQ3HEvLlQ?feat=directlink and I know Marky Mark has more as well.

Sandstone Trail pt1

2009-02-15T13:55:00.006Z

Well I've gotta say the legs were a bit stiff this morning so I thought what better way to loosen them up than to go for another walk! And I thought it would be useful to see what they were like after two sessions of walking.

I've been promising myself for some time to do the Sandstone Trail which runs from Frodsham to Whitchurch (34 miles). I've got a book of circular walks along the route so I did the first one - 4 miles in about 2 hours. Bit grey and drizzly and if yesterday was snowy then today was definitely "muddy"!

Apparently the silver birch in one of the pictures is over 100 years old - fascinating things you learn on mornings out!

Still it loosened 'em up a bit - Nige you need to get some practice in!

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xYRlXp-z7NstRMFRMXZJig?feat=directlink

Some basic exercises to help strengthen those wimpy bits! #2

2009-02-14T23:49:00.003Z

Some basic exercises to help strengthen those wimpy bits! #1

2009-02-14T23:49:00.001Z

Shining Tor Revisited

2009-02-14T22:25:00.003Z

Well it was meant to be a Snowdon walk this weekend but Mr Shaffery called the Tourist Board there and basically there was a high risk of death so we thought it best to change plans!

So Shining Tor area was selected. Derbyshire Bridge was the target starting point this morning. Well I nearly got there. Just as you go over the ridge to the T junction the road was solid ice and I immediately thought it was not going to be possible to get back up so I stopped. And reversed - or should I say stayed still whilst the front wheels span around! After a recce, another vehicle came down the alternative path and was able to turn around and get back up to the Cat and Fiddle, so after a slippy downhill I managed to do the same. Of course, the phone coverage there is shite so depsite getting a voice mail through to Mr Shaffery he went head long down ther and managed to get through - he got lucky though cos if he'd had to go up the main track he would never have made it!

Anyway - we got to the Cat and Fiddle, rearranged the route and went straight for Shining Tor again. Continued on over Cat's Tor and then extended the walk to the far end of Fernilee reservoir. Turned down the Midshire Way and back along the reservoir. Took the path back up to Shining Tor and back to cat and Fiddle (that's the lung-burner bit!). Lots of snow up top and the weather came down when we were walking back up. About five hours round trip. Steve still managed to entertain us with his sudden bursts into song - the song being related to something we'd just been talking to him about!

Did you know that Shining Tor is actually the highest point in Cheshire (yes it's just in Cheshire, not Derbyshire). It sits at 559m amd is higher than Mam Tor and Win Hill. And there are some very big sheep poos up on those hills (see the photos in the album below)!

Good walk - tired legs - we worry about Nigel - he needs some hard hill practice. Perhaps Emma will let him out next weekend?

Lots more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/ShiningTorRevisited14209?feat=directlink

Update

2009-02-04T19:09:00.003Z

Flight booked - Leeds - Geneva (arrive 14.50) £68
Insurance Purchased - snowcard.co.uk
Activity Level: 2 - as advised by Snowcard for our particular trip.
Main Activity: Walking - alpine hut to hut - level 2
Cover Type: D
Area: EUROPE
Date Out: 21/6/2009
Duration: 8 days
Premium: £30

Chris Jones has said he will run Potters 'Arf - any other takers?

More gear for Mr Gough

2009-02-02T23:01:00.002Z

Got a new rucsac, trekking sticks and sunglasses!

Those pesky boots ! Got daily email warnings on ebay now. Why is that the half price offers on decent boots are always for the pixie-footed?!

Well if girls can do it!

2009-02-02T22:52:00.001Z

Does this make it feel real?!

2009-02-02T22:47:00.000Z

Mr Gough Lardy Arse Update - 1 month in

2009-02-02T21:38:00.003Z

Well despite there being several container loads of chocolates left over from Xmas at the beginning of the month. I have lost 4lb and now weigh in at 16 st 10lb (106.3 kg). So a good start and now the chocs have gone should be a bit easier (oh yeh really!).

2009-01-26T22:40:00.002Z

Gentlemen - I give you :
Gran Paradiso

2009-01-25T22:35:00.001Z

Does anyone want to join me for a pre-walk jog?

Just so that the rumours can stop......

2009-01-25T16:55:00.002Z

Yes I do know where we are going so I've changed the title of the blog. Hope everyone is now comfortable talking to me about it!!!!

Walking up Shutlingsloe with the Williams (24-1-09)

2009-01-25T15:25:00.004Z

Bit of a grey morning that cleared up as it went on. 10am kick off from the car park and a 3 hour trek up and around Shutlingsloe at 506m (try saying that after a few!). Lots of snow and cloud on the top and very windy - managed to get our coffee and cake on the lee side in the shelter though.

Back at the car park at 1pm and lovely butties and chips in the pub in Wincle. Lots of talk of boots and crampons - now I'm totally confused!

More pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/ShutlingsloeWalkWithWilliams24109?feat=directlink

Field and Trek boot advice

2009-01-23T22:19:00.002Z

This is the text off their website (Mark W emailed the link to this some weeks ago but thought it might be useful to see here also). Scares me just reading it!

Boot Grading & Crampon Compatability
Torsional Rigidity: What keeps you upright on steep ground?
Boots flex, to verying degrees, as you walk. But did the midsole also flexes or twists along its length. This is called torsional rigidity.

To explain this: hold your boot at toe and heal and try to twist it. A standard walking boot (B1) will twist to a reasonable amount where as a mountaineering boot (B3) will twist very little or not at all.

Now imagine that you want to traverse a steep ground or cross an angled frozen snow slope. In a B1 boot you have a far greater chance of going over on your ankle when standing with your body weight on the inner/outer edges of your boots. Using a B3 boot which won't flex as much means will give a far greater feeling of security.

A B2 boot will have a measure of torsional rigidity; and in general terms, it is the ideal type of boot for most conditions encountered when walking in the British hills. This will include winter conditions where you may have to deal with gentle snow slopes.

The potential for a fatal injury when wearing crampons is magnified if you do not match the Boot Grade with the Crampon Grade: do not be mislead by what some Gear Review guru’s have to say in the walking magazines, our technical guide is based around what the manufacturers recommend. A B3 boot can be used with a C1, C2 and C3 crampon, a B2 boot is compatible with C1 and C2 crampons only and a B1 boot can only be used with C1 crampon.

Boot Grading: As the manufacturers explain it
B:0 (Walking Boots)
These boots are unsuitable for use with crampons.

B1: (Hillwalking Boots)
Suitable for the easiest winter conditions. Flexible walking crampons with a strap attachment (Crampon Grade C1) can be used for limited periods or in emergencies, for example when crossing a patch of snow or ice, rather than for a full day's walk using crampons.

B2: (Mountaineering Boots)
All boots within this range are compatible with articulated crampons with straps or a combination of strapped front and clip-on heel (Crampon Grade C2) for winter mountain walking or glacier traverses.

B3: (Climbing & Mountaineering Boots)
These boots have fully stiffened soles and are compatible with articulated or fully rigid crampons with strap or clip-on systems (Crampon Grade C3).

Crampon Grading
C1:(Compatible with B1, B2 & B3 boots)
With a 8 or 10 point style, this general winter walking crampon has the toe and heel sections connected by a flexible bar. Because of the flexibility along its length it will accommodate moderately stiff hillwalking boots that flex as you walk. Flexible crampons may be used on stiffer boots but should not be used on any boot than flexes to a greater extent than the crampon can accommodate.

C2:(Compatible with B2 & B3 boots)
Designed for mountaineering and mid-grade snow and ice climbing, these usually are a 10 or 12 point crampon with the heel and toe sections joined by either an adjustable (but rigid) bar or by a simple hinge. It is extremely important that the shape (both in plan and profile) of articulated crampons accurately matches the sole of your boots.

C3:(Compatible with B3 boots only)
Specifically for technical and difficult steep ice with 12 points and sometimes featuring a mono-point at the front, C3 crampons are fully rigid along their entire length. As such they must only be used with a boot whose sole is completely rigid, as the crampon cannot flex to accommodate distortion in the sole. The plan and profile of the crampon must match that of your boot.

Boots in the B3 category are ideal for C3 crampons and will also take C2 and C1 types. At the other end of the spectrum a B1 boot should only be used with a C1 crampon. N.B. For the relevant grading of your boots please see the appropriate column in the technical information.

This information is by no means a substitute for experience and correct training in the use of the equipment discussed. Furthermore, please realise that your crampons will require 'fitting' to your boots before use to make sure they match correctly and securely.

Now not so confused.....

2009-01-19T15:42:00.002Z

In case anyone is interested I have emailed Raichle direct and apparently my boots are a B1 type and are therefore compatible with most C1 crampons.For example Grivel G10.
Is it me or has Mr Gough got some secret foot fetish that is only just coming to light?Just thought I'd ask before we get to 4000 metres............

boot confusion ....

2009-01-19T12:50:00.001Z

so are we saying even my longest of long thigh lengths wont do ? even if i sandpaper the soles a bit to improve the adhesion ? they'd have been great for keeping the wind out too

2009-01-18T16:33:00.001Z

More useful boot words.

http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mountain_Boots.html

Boot and crampon advice.

2009-01-17T11:10:00.000Z

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/CustomerServices/tg_boot_grading.aspx

It's only been a week

2009-01-16T23:24:00.002Z

Since I last looked and we've decended into typical male oriented sleezy picture posts..................................great!
Bought boots - Scarpa Manta, B2 so it's C2 for me - hope I don't fall off......

Nige's new boots

2009-01-14T20:25:00.004Z

Come on Nige. Picture of boots, what type, where from, how much - spread the good advice!!!! Until we see them we can only guess!

WILL THIS DO............????

2009-01-14T18:30:00.002Z

Found this picture of The Matterhorn as Mr Williams was complaining that there was no photo on my last blog.Maybe the Haute Route another year?.................

New CamelBack in the bag

2009-01-13T23:27:00.002Z

Bought a new 2l water bag thingy as the last one bought in the Lakes tasted so much of plastic even after boiling, salting, drying, reboiling, using, drying, using again, spitting most of it out, boiling again, putting orange in it - that it made you want to drink piss more than what was in it (I'm sure Martin can atteest to that as he got the same one!

New one doesn't smell at all of plastic so fingers crossed for testing during next walk!

I'm so tempted to buy a new camera!

2009-01-13T23:25:00.001Z

Really I am!

Second 'Mark' debuts on The Blog.

2009-01-13T22:11:00.002Z

So we are now committed to depart for The Alps on 21st June 2009. The chosen route has varied in the planning stage - starting with a Mt Blanc ascent - modified to The Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route - and finally settled at a week in Itay's Gran Paradiso National Park with an Ascent of the Mountain of the same name on the penultimate day - Friday 26th June. We are about to book flights to Geneva so its the point of no return!

2009-01-12T20:10:00.002Z

Hi Guys and a Happy New Year! Here's to a spectacular trip in June.The first stage of my preparations have begun with the purchase of a new pair of boots.They are Raichle All Degree Lite GTX and thanks to Paul for the info on these.Apparently they are C1 crampon compatible which will be the next purchase. Looking forward to the first occasion I can test these boots out in some proper mountain terrain.
I'm not as familiar with the Chamonix Region as I am with several parts of Switzerland, and even then usually only seen during the Summer months on a motorcycle over various mountain passes at speed. I'm therefore keen to experience a completely different perspective with camera in hand!!
I am planning to drive to Les Houches in June , hopefully via Annecy and on some of the roads due to be used for Le Tour de France 2009.
I think we should all give Mr Gough the appropriate encouragement to lose weight before the trip without any reference to lardy git or any other offensive comments.................

First of the New Year?

2009-01-02T19:35:00.006Z

2 January 2009
9.20 - Set out for the summit of Pen y Ghent (Hill of the Winds) via Plover Hill.
12.00 - Cheese and Onion sandwiches on the top before dropping off the "South Face".
2.15 - Ordered first pint at the Helwith Bridge Inn.
3.40 - Finished - 11.5 miles.
5.30 - home to a hot bath...............ahhh.
(no new boots yet though)
Paul Williams

made it

2009-01-01T19:15:00.003Z

made it onto the blog .. first step towards making it onto the actual mountain later in the year.

Been to Chamonix 3 or 4 times, always in winter, one of my fav places anywhere in the world, great place to start a break from. The views across mont blanc and the vallee blanche from the grand montets are amongst the best I've seen (see pics), and from the top lift station you can see a fair bit of the area we're going to be visiting. I have to admit I cant wait to see it from the paths rather than from the lift exits. The piste down from the top here is one of the steepest blacks anywhere, so you dont have a lot of opportunity to enjoy the view once you get moving, the scene from the station exit steps is the one that sticks though.

Heres hoping the trip in June is just as memorable .

Mr Gough's fitness update

2009-01-01T10:00:00.004Z

First day of the year - traditional time to weigh in and make statements of surprise! Nothing different this year for Mr Gough.

Weighs in at 17 stone (108.2 kg) and needs to lose a stone -hopefully by publishing here lots of encouragement will be forthcoming (or taunts of fat git anyway).

Can you see the fat on the face?

No pain at all from the knees yesterday over Shining Tor (not even the tiniest of twinges).

Last walk of 2008 - Shining Tor

2009-01-01T09:54:00.002Z

Fantastic morning out walking today with Martin S. The weather at home was cold and foggy and quite miserable. As soon as we got the other side of the Peaks to Buxton, the fog cleared and it was magnificent sunshine!

Great 3 hour walk around and up Shining Tor starting from the car park at Errwood Reservoir in the Goyt Valley. First bit got the pulse racing and the lungs highly activated - all conversation stopped! After that relatively gentle walk over the top and back to the car park.

Fabulous sunshine, some wild grouse and some fantastic icicle formations (see the pics).
Afterwards lunch at the Rose and Crown near Wincle on the A54 (it was dead - only us there - wouldn't recommend for the future!).

Lots of pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/ShiningTorGoytValleyNrBuxton?feat=directlink

Our itinerary - are you scared?

2009-01-01T09:30:00.000Z

Day 1
Rendezvous at the group's hotel in Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley. The guide will chat about the days ahead and check out your equipment before dinner. (D)

Day 2
Transfer through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy's Aosta Valley and Valgrisenche. We then trek to the head of the valley and the excellent Refugio Bezzi. (B/L/D)

Day 3
Cross the Col Bassac Dere (3082m) and ascend the Becca della Traversiere (3334m). Then, descend via a glacier to the Refugio Benevolo (2285m). (B/L/D)

Day 4
Today, our route takes us across the Col Nivolettaz (3180m) from where we ascend our second summit Punta Basei (3338m). Overnight at the Refugio Chivasso (2604m). (B/L/D)

Day 5
A beautiful descent to the Albergo Paradiso where we pick up our technical equipment for Gran Paradiso. Afternoon walk to the Refugio Vittorio Emanuele (2732m). (B/L/D)

Day 6
An early start for the classic easy snow climb and rocky scramble to the summit of the Gran Paradiso (4061m). Descend to the Rifugio Federico Chabod, below the north face. (B/L/D)

Day 7
We walk out via the Traverse de Gran Neyron and the Val del Leviona to Valsavarenche. Return transfer to Les Houches, Chamonix. (B/L/D)

Day 8
Services end after breakfast. (B)