Looking forward to WINTER!

So we're still in Cornwall....Now the clocks have gone back and its a bit dark and grim in the evenings our thoughts are turning keenly to the winter in the Alps! We're looking forward to exciting snowstorms and bright, dry days and winter wonderland!
Kath will be returning to Chalet Henriette at the end of November to start preparations for the season; I shall return to France for Christmas week (still finishing my physio contract in the UK till then). We are going to be ably assisted this season by Jason Miller (aka the chalet boy!) who is a good friend and a mad keen boarder. Jason gave us a massive helping hand in the renovations of 2007 (when we did the 2nd floor conversion) and we're looking forward to having him back and to a great season!
So here's to a fantastic 2009/2010 winter and perhaps see you soon! N&K
To contact us in the meantime please phone 07540 422555 or use our normal email addresses: info@alpineelephant.com or alpineelephant@neuf.fr

Autumn 2009 - updated

Kath & I are back in the UK (in Cornwall) for the autumn. We are both working as physios to keep up our registration and earn some pennies. Its lovely to be back in the UK and catch up with friends and family. The dogs are loving going for walks on the beach and we are getting out surfing quite a bit, plus I've been doing some great climbing on the local sea-cliffs. We will return to France in the beginning of December to run the 2009/2010 winter season; the chalet is kindly being looked after by local friends whilst we are away.
To contact us please use the normal email addresses: either info@alpineelephant.com or alpineelephant@neuf.fr. The mobile is the same: 0033611 695 079 or you can contact us on our UK mobile: 07540 422555. Regards N&K

The vulture has landed!!! (and flown again)

We're really pleased to announce that the young Bearded vulture has successfully fledged. It has been sighted by the nature reserve wardens in flight, and doing fine. There was some concern last week following its first flight on wednesday (29th July) when it was unable to gain sufficient height to return to the nest. With each new attempt to fly it was losing altitude and the wardens were concerned (perhaps overly!!) that it might reach a point where it would get stuck in dense forest from where getting elevation would be difficult (for a bird built for soaring flight). This would have made it vulnerable to predators etc.
We did think this concern was a bit over the top given that this species survived for hundreds and probably thousands of years before mankind eliminated the alpine populations in the early 20th century! But it is certainly brilliant that the bird has shown its capacity to cope (!) and this successful fledging makes it very likely that we shall see the adults again - quite probably next year - for another attempt at a brood. Apparently the adults normally breed each year, and will feed this young one for a few more weeks before sending it away to find its own territory. Regards N&K

Summer activities, alpinism.

In late June, I had a brilliant few days climbing with Mark McCarthy.

We did the North face of the Pain de Sucre d'Envers (the first photo shows the summit ridge) and a couple of days later the Couturier Couloir on the Aiguille Verte. (The second photo shows the view into the Argentiere basin on the evening before the climb).

Both climbs went really well, and we did them in good conditions and very good times. Both climbs were excellent, perhaps the Pain de Sucre was the most atmospheric and it was certainly more interesting from a technical point of view, however this was balanced by the satisfaction of summitting the Aiguille Verte, a mountain I've wanted to climb for some years now. Nick

Bearded vulture update...flying soon...

The young vulture is fully feathered and its first flight is imminent. It is very dark in colour, lacking the white (and ochre) colouring of the adults. With this success, it is likely that the adults will return to the nest site to attempt another brood next year. A resident pair of Bearded vultures in the Bargy (approx 30 km from us) have nested 13 years in a row, so we hope 'our' vultures will be as prolific! N