Changing seasons.

Last week i spent 7 days working in Austria doing various rigging jobs on the climbing section of next year's "Cotswolds" catalogue. Long days and some weather-induced stress made for a challenging week. But it was great fun, and i always learn a lot from this work. The highlight for me was definitely working on the summit of the Kitsteinhorn (3200m) at sunset with glowing bronze summits i knew little about surrounding me, followed by a 1500 meter ski descent down the best freshly groomed piste i've ever skied, late at night.

On returning to Cham, it seems that the already warm winter has definitely turned in to summer, seemingly missing out the whole Spring period (or maybe its just been spring since January?).
        I've had a couple brilliant days out in amongst some other work with good people, on good rock, although my glove-soft fingers have been getting a trashing.

I've been to a small but perfect crag through in Italy called Leverogne twice with the Swedish crew. Climbing mainly with Carl Granlund, a super strong sport climber working his way through the best 8A's of the Haute Savoie. I gave him 6 belays on his project the last time we were there and he was getting tantalizingly close.

Carl and his project.

Crux.

Today i've been at the always-brilliant crag Gietroz, just over the Swiss border with Adam George. A little hot but great fun in the sun nonetheless.

Adam.

Adam crushing in his one afternoon off amongst weeks of ski-tour guiding.

Weather's a bit naff tomorow, then a nice window is coming through. Hmmmmm, maybe the mountains are calling?