Kubrick1978 wrote:

Grenadier wrote:

Kubrick1978 wrote:

I'm super jealous of you. I tried to climb Mont Blanc a couple of years ago but a storm moved in and all the guides advised against going beyond the first hut (the couloire was just a large waterfall!). I will return.

I’m glad they did. OT. You might be describing the ‘Death Couloir’. It’s bloody brutal. We know quite a few guides and not one has anything other than a massive respect for it.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Grenadier. Yep that's the couloir alright. And there was no way it was safe for us to continue climbing. I'm sorry that you know people that have suffered in the Alps. When we were climbing, we were told to only cross the couloir when it was in shadow, before the day starts to heat-up and the permafrost melts. That's a great video that you've shared, and I'm pleased that more of a science is now being applied to deepening our understanding of the couloir and the factors that introduce the most risk for climbers. I love the Alps and if I could live out there I would. Even without getting past the couloir I saw enough of the mountain to appreciate the risks of it first hand.

Well, if you ever make it back, let me know. And if you’re looking for a guide, perhaps yours is booked out, likewise. But as I say, great that they were so responsible, so I’m sure you’d go back. I was hoping to do it this year, but conditions have been atrocious and I’ve been too busy, so I think I’ll look at next year. But worth noting that our Mayor led a campaign to appeal to the French Government to redesignate the Mountain, which after a visit by Macron last year they did, and will mean you cannot attempt the summit without a licence, the availability of which will be seriously restricted. Basically the 20k visitors mentioned in the video have been ruining the route, leaving rubbish everywhere and in many circumstances requiring CasEvac due to worryingly bad preparation and complete complacency for weather. So now they’ve have Gendarmes making checks on those heading up the route, equipment and skills levels checked, and if you don’t have a bunk reserved at one of the high altitude refuges, Goûter being the main one, you’ll be sent back. No more turning up and taking a punt. And a final factoid for you. If you start your attempt at the railway station in Le Fayet (alt 550m) and complete the entire Royal Route by foot, it’s the longest continuous ascent (at almost +4500m) of any mountain in the world. Very few people attempt it.  Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

J77 wrote:

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“Exclusive pictures of a new defender getting prepared for workhorse duties in a volunteer firefighting department.

📸 Thanks to @federico.piazza83”

Proof, if it were ever needed that the classic solid red with white roof still works on the New Defender!
JLR take note! Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)

J77 wrote:

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


“Exclusive pictures of a new defender getting prepared for workhorse duties in a volunteer firefighting department.

📸 Thanks to @federico.piazza83”

Proof, if it were ever needed that the classic solid red with white roof still works on the New Defender!
JLR take note! Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)

Philip wrote:

Ford are delivering vans with small screens fitted in big screen holes etc.

I'll have to look out for these Brooklands specials...


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