Exploratory blog: News and happenings from Alpine Exploratory

The Dales Way: our December 2011 review

2012-01-10T09:12:00.000Z

(Anna-Maria and Chris write:) This is one of the wettest reviews we have done in some time and is likely to stick in the memory for a while.

Oh no! What's happened to the footpath?!

The Dales Way is a delightful walk passing through two valleys (Wharfedale and Dentdale) before cutting up under the shadow of the Howgills and striking out across the valley between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District to allow a final day of Lake District walking. This final day allows the walker to get a real feel for what it is about the scenery that differs between the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales and the more rugged terrain of the Lake District.

A stone bench at the Dales Way start

Our review was carried out over the New Year period. We often review routes over this holiday week and while it has sometimes allowed us to review routes in snowy conditions in the past, this year led us to wading through unexpected streams and rivers and plenty of mud. Fortunately the accommodation that we use welcomes muddy walkers and we were warmly greeted each evening despite our condition.

Unfortunately the wet weather had a heavy impact on the wildlife. Other than a fleeting glimpse of a deer and, on another opportunity, a heron (who was presumably much happier than we were with the damp outlook), our animal encounters were less wild and more domesticated, passing as we did through numerous fields of sheep which are being kept on lower pastures during the winter months.

The weather also provided some unexpected challenges for us. The riverside path on the final day had been completely consumed by the river and was knee-deep in flowing water and we found that even the simplest field crossings had become shin-deep mud to be waded through with care. There was a definite sense of adventure as a result of this and we only hope that the rain abates for a while to prevent similar flood damage occurring to the Yorkshire and Lake District routes as we saw in early 2010.

Ho hum - what a day!

Anna-Maria on the slightly damp footpath

Ah well - press on along the path...

As a long distance footpath the Dales Way is perhaps one of the kinder routes for those who haven’t walked a multi-day route before thanks to its flatter nature. The first two and a half days and the beginning of the final day are all characterised by riverside walking with very little climbing away from the river while the middle days cross low moorland, staying at the lowest points wherever possible.

This is not a route for those looking for hilltops and far-reaching views. Instead it is an opportunity to explore some of the lesser-know corners of the Yorkshire Dales and appreciate the more immediate beauty they can provide.

This is definitely a route not to be overlooked. While the Dales Way is frequently overshadowed by the more widely known Pennine Way and Coast to Coast, the Dales Way has a subtlety. It allows the walker time to think and to appreciate the surrounding countryside rather than providing constant challenges in the climbs or strenuous terrain.

The signpost in Ilkley showing the Dales Way route

The Dales Way certainly felt like a companionable route. With paths than were often wide enough to walk two-abreast we were able to talk together with ease and the relatively easy terrain (when not wading through knee-deep bogs thanks to the days of torrential rain) provided time for contemplation of New Year’s Resolutions still to be begun.

Dales Way - please join us on the route!

Dolomites research, October 2011

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000Z

(Simon writes:) After my September trip, I went back to the Dolomites for the first half of October. This extended time allowed me to walk some remaining sections of our new routes, and to get to know better the villages, hotels and travel routes. In contrast to early October 2010, this year's early Autumn in the Dolomites was warm and sunny with little snow on the ground. Lucy Stewart joined me part-way in, on this trip that covered a good deal of this corner of Italy.

In the Northern reaches of the Alta Via 1, the long-distance trek that we offer for 2012, here are three approaches to storage.

The grey bulk is the Croda del Becco, the first side peak reachable from the AV1, and here seen from the South.

Summer was a while ago, with winter yet to come, hence all is quiet at the chair lift above Passo Palafavera. In summer this lift can help walkers on the AV1.

From Cortina I rode the bus and train to Venice, for urban exploration. Here is a courtyard glimpsed through a gate. The city has much to see in every direction.

Back up North, and this time a Northern gateway to the Dolomites, Innsbruck. This small Austrian city in the midst of mountains has a cool and crisp charm in great contrast to Venice. There would be pleasure in crossing the Italian Alps from Innsbruck to Venice, the AV1 forming the trekking section.

Innsbruck's colourful houses sit below its mountains. Fresh snow fell on the Brenner pass on the way in and out of Innsbruck.

Back in Italy at Dobbiaco, one of the many pretty towns in Val Pusteria. German language dominates in this Northern part of Italy, that once was part of Austria. More snow fell this morning, but it was light, and soon disappeared.

Above Cortina, woods were illuminated by a dappled light.

Back in the mountains, a walk to Rifugio Cita di Fiume was warm in the afternoon sun. We then ventured to Cortina, Corvara and Ortisei across the many passes that divide the separate valleys.

A final stop in Treviso was a contrast again, with hustle and bustle in the typical Italian way, mixed with an almost-Venetian network of alleys and buildings.

Please join us on our 2012 program in the Dolomites, which will run from 1 July to 20 September 2012. We offer guided and self-guided treks in this beautiful area of the Alps.

Dolomites Alta Via 1 (Self-Guided)
Dolomites Explorer (Guided)

Dolomites research, September 2011

2011-12-12T17:09:00.002Z

(Simon writes:) In September 2011 I walked further sections of the Alta Via 1, the trek in the Dolomites that we are offering for the first time in 2012, to prepare for the season ahead. My focus was the Southern end of the trek towards Belluno. I began with a 3-day hut tour starting at Passo Palafavera:

Lago Coldai around the back of Monte Civetta

At Rifugio Pian de Fontana

Wood piled up outside Rifugio Bianchet

Moving up to the Monte Pelmo area, it was a pleasure to walk the classic circuit of this famous Dolomitic peak: the Giro Classico di Monte Pelmo no less. This day-long loop forms part of the AV1, by one side or the other. If making the circuit to the Southern side of the peak then the difficulty is increased to far beyond the AV1's norm. We're advising clients about the options here.

At Forcella Val d'Arcia high on Monte Pelmo

Campi So'Pelf, a meadow to the South of Monte Pelmo

Cortina was, as always, a fabulous base to the East of the AV1, with lots going on. A storm brought torrential rain, forcing shoppers to huddle in La Cooperativa which is the department store in town.

Sunset over Cortina, far below in the valley

I set off for Belluno and a last night, staying in the new side of town but having another evening exploration of the old part. While Belluno is less famous than Verona, say, and let alone Venice, it has fine architecture and an Italian buzz in sharp contrast to the rarified atmosphere of the AV1 itself.

Selva di Cadore, a village to the South of the AV1

The modern side to Belluno, which also has a fine old town

Please join us to trek the magnificent AV1 in 2012!

Dolomites Alta Via 1 (Guided)

Ridgeway research

2011-11-10T15:35:00.001Z

The Manger from Uffington

Pete has been researching our new trip along the Ridgeway, this Autumn. This will be Alpine Exploratory's first trip in Southern England. The Ridgeway is a trail of about 140km passing through the Chiltern hills to the East of the River Thames, and the North Wessex Downs to the West of the Thames. The terrain is rolling, following the course of an ancient route.

Wayland Smithy behind trees

Wayland Smithy

Liddington Castle

Sparsholt Firs

Walking the Ridgeway

Please contact us any time to chat about this exciting new trip!

In the pipeline - news about our new trips for 2012

Tenerife!

2011-10-24T16:52:00.009+01:00

Bill and Linda

Another first for Alpine Exploratory: a guided walking trip to Tenerife!

When regular clients Linda and Bill Parker requested a trip to the Canary Islands, it was hard to turn them down, particularly as we have plenty of in-house experience in the guise of Alpine Exploratory leader Pete Ellis. So it was a pleasure to arrange a week of walking, led by Pete.

(Pete writes:) Arriving on Wednesday into Tenerife North airport, it is just a short transfer to our excellent hotel base for the first 4 nights in Puerto de la Cruz. Thursday started with a bus ride along the coast, followed by an easy walk back to Puerto de la Cruz (keep the sea on the left, Bill). This allowed plenty of time to become accustomed to the climate, explore the town, gain an insight into Canary life, and experience the buses for the first time.

The coast near Puerto de la Cruz

Friday was more adventurous, heading east towards the oldest part of Tenerife, the Anaga peninsula, to make use of some of the old trails which have been used for centuries by the locals. After a ‘gentle’ bus ride to La Laguna, a ‘more interesting’ ride ensued along the dorsal spine of the peninsula through the laura-silva forest. Finally down around many zig-zags and we arrived at the village of Taborno perched atop its ridge of ancient lavas. A walk around the village to take in the spectacular views was followed (after the secret purchase by Pete of some favourite chocolate almond tart) by a descent into a barranco and up again to Las Carboneras for refreshments. A little bit more up, followed by a contouring path took us around the hillside with fantastic views across to El Batan, and later Mt Teide, to reach Chinamada and its quaint rock houses, many of which are still occupied. A close encounter with the banjo player in Number 4 was narrowly avoided: another walking group, it seems, were not so lucky and were being ‘serenaded’ by the banjo player’s regular minimalistic repertoire – Pete has experienced this on a previous occasion, and soon learnt that getting involved was NOT a good idea!

Las Carboneras and the Roque de Taborno

After an excellent late lunch in the café there, it was downhill all the way (well, nearly all the way) to Punta del Hidalgo on the coast (with a break for the afore-mentioned chocolate almond tart at a spot with spectacular views down to the ocean). Two bus rides then returned us to Puerto, with a final ascent up the dreaded ‘death hill’ to the hotel (okay, I agree, it is a little bit steep).

Las Arenas Negras looking towards Mt Teide

Saturday, and we are headed out west to Montaneta and Las Arenas Negras. This area is characterised by black volcanic sands, studded with bright green pine trees – truly bizarre. Having walked through this area and onwards to the west, we take lunch at the Restaurant Fleytas and Pete re-established contact with his ‘Amigo’ who runs the bar and has been making guests welcome for nigh on 10 years. The flexible plan now comes into force, and careful study of the bus timetable reveals several options for the afternoon. The base plan is initiated, with option A, B, C or D to be implemented later on. Having quickly passed through Tenerife’s ‘Lake District’ (4 muddy ponds), we are into the gloom of the laurel forest, emerging at Los Bollicos and views down towards Masca and the island of La Gomera. Option C is chosen, and we continue northwest along the ridgeline, emerging from the trees every so often to take in the views on either side. Masca village is sighted – ‘the most beautiful village on the island’ according to Linda’s guidebook, so option C is now amended in order to pay a visit. Reaching the road 5 minutes before the bus is due, allows a quick ice-cream before boarding the bus for a roller-coaster ride to Masca and up the hill the other side to Santiago del Teide. Sadly we forgot to count the number of switch-backs on the road, and nor did we count the number of times the bus had to shunt forward and back in order to get around the corners. Who needs a fair-ground ride when you can just pay a euro for a fabulous ride on the Tenerife buses?

Beyond Los Bollicos

Sunday saw us heading up the mountain to stay for 3 nights at 2150m at the Parador in the middle of the lunar landscape that is the Teide volcanic crater. The Puerto de la Cruz cyclists were out in force today, and we had an interesting time watching as 30 mountain bikes seemed to miraculously disappear into the bowels of the bus. There was just about enough space remaining for our 3 cases. An afternoon stroll to some lava caves and around the Roques de Garcia led to a minor incident on the path, as Bill’s footwork failed to keep pace with the force of gravity and a few grazes were received to parts of his body which don’t normally come into contact with the ground!

Monday saw a quick trip up Montana Guajara, the highest point of the crater rim, for Linda and a less energetic summit of Los Azulejos for Bill. An early night ensued, to be ready for a dawn start the following day.

Pete goes for a climb at the Roques de Garcia

Dawn broke as usual at around 7:45 am, and the team set off having had a quick picnic breakfast. The plan was to reach the cable car before the tour coaches started to arrive at 9 o’clock, and this was duly achieved. As we waited for the second cable car of the day, the first coach arrived and the masses poured out to join the queue. Pete had acquired permits for the summit of Mt Teide (at 3717m, the highest point of Spanish territory), so we plodded slowly up to the summit for the customary photographs. As usual, there was a bit of steam puffing out of various holes, and a strong smell of sulphur (or should that be ‘sulfur’ for the Canadians?). Descending back to the base station of the cable car, and the queue of tourists was tailing back out of the building and down the road – probably several hours before most of them got onto the cable car. The benefits of an early start! We took a leisurely stroll back to the Parador, arriving just before the rain commenced. By dinner time, there was a sprinkling of snow on the top of Mt Teide! Some would say that it was just good luck that we made it to the top and back before the weather turned, but others would say that you made your own luck and it was skilful guiding!

Bill and Linda at the summit of Mt Teide

A leisurely start the following morning saw the group disperse, Linda and Bill to La Gomera and Pete back home to the UK.

So, a week of superlatives: good weather, excellent hotels, fabulous walking, and great company. When can I go again?

Pine trees at Las Arenas Negras

Schedule - Our trips. Please contact us any time about a private guided trip to Tenerife.

New trips for 2012

2011-10-24T16:48:00.002+01:00

We are working on our new trips for 2012, to include our Dolomites treks and our guided Highlands weeks, and more. Full details will appear on the website over the next month. We are excited at the prospect of helping clients enjoy new aspects of the mountains. Roll on 2012!

Coast to Coast East recce

2011-09-21T13:20:00.004+01:00

(Danby Wiske to Robin Hood's Bay)

(Anna-Maria and Chris write:) The last part of the Coast to Coast walk crossing the North York Moors is perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of the route, especially in September when the heather is still in flower. While the Lake District section is filled with some of the more rugged parts of the Lakeland hills and parts of the Lake District that are not always seen by the casual visitor this final section of the route leaves the tired walker with some beautiful final memories.

Our review of the Danby Wiske to Robin Hood’s Bay stretch began ominously with the tail end of the hurricane passing over the UK. We experienced strong winds even while we were still on the flat plain before Osmotherley and Anna was often struggling to keep her feet on the ground once we made it up onto the more exposed moor tops! Evidence of the damage caused by the high winds could be seen in many of the woods and villages across the route. The hurricane marked a clear start to autumn too, with a noticeable drop in temperature over the course of the week and reports from the transfer company that they were having to scrape morning ice off the windscreens by the end of the week.

There was plenty of wildlife around. Sightings included a grass snake, squirrels in the woods and a few butterflies that were somehow managing to brave the winds. There was also plenty of elusive wildlife heard but not seen. A buzzard was marking his ownership of the East Arnecliff Wood and, in the early evening, we could hear both barn and tawny owls.

Despite the lateness in the year there were still plenty of walkers traversing the country on the Coast to Coast route. A few were taking it in long stages to cover the distance in only 10-12 days but most were taking a more manageable and leisurely approach of about 15 days. While the route does offer opportunities to get through it in fewer days the resultant big stages are best spaced out as they can take their toll on the soles of a walker’s feet. Having reviewed the route in longer stages last winter with several of those long stages consecutive for the 2011 walking season we would certainly recommend spacing them out more!

Coast to Coast - join us!

Herbie on the Coast to Coast

2011-08-08T18:34:00.004+01:00

Here is Herbie the dog, enjoying the obstacles on the Coast to Coast trek along with his team members Kate and Peter, this early August.

At the top of Kidsty Pike in the Lake District

Leaving Orton on the way to the Dales

Please join us on the Coast to Coast, and bring the dog!

Update!

Herbie's adventures continue, fording streams in Swaledale:

In Swaledale, the Yorkshire Dales

Coast to Coast - our full trek from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay

TMB research

2011-07-18T23:46:00.004+01:00

Here are some photos from Joy's walks as part of our pre-season research on the TMB, taken towards the end of June. The TMB was unusually snow-free for that point in the year.

Above Les Houches, the long view down the Arve valley

Bright Italian signposts above Refugio Bertone

Early summer brings colourful flowers in the Alps

Looking towards the Grand Col Ferret and the Swiss border

Places are available on two guided TMBs this summer, from 6 to 20 August led by Keith and from 20 August to 3 September led by Allan. Please join Keith's or Allan's group for a superb trek around Mont Blanc.

Tour du Mont Blanc (Guided) - our guided TMBs led by our IMLs

Walker's Haute Route research

2011-07-18T21:58:00.007+01:00

In early July, Chris and Anna completed the pre-season review of the Haute Route. This is what they had to say:

The Haute Route is a challenging but very rewarding walk with a wide variety of mountain scenery. There are airy cliff-edge paths, huge moraine fields, tiny turquoise tarns filled with glacial melt and huge, towering peaks overshadowing narrow cols. If you have walked the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Haute Route is a natural next step.

Snow patches in early July, Haute Route

The 2011 season began in a very different way to 2010, when there was unseasonably late and heavy snowfall and our pre-season review of the Tour du Mont Blanc was made incredibly arduous and technically challenging by the conditions. This year, there was little snow in June and therefore the main route was open to walkers from quite early on. We observed only a few areas where snow was still standing on the route and in most instances this could be detoured around. Most notably, snow was still heavy over the Col de la Chaux - the hut guardian at Cabane du Mont Fort was keen for all walkers to take the alternative route to avoid it. There were also a few small patches later in that same day, just before Cabane de Prafleuri, where snow had built up in banks over rocky sections of the path, making careful footing necessary.

On the climb to Fenetre d'Arpette, on the stage to Champex

During our review, the weather was fairly typical for summer mountain days. Most days began clear and bright, with very good visibility, which made early starts quite palatable. Clouds began gathering mid-morning and it often grew overcast in the afternoons. On a few afternoons, we had drizzle and on several days we watched impressive thunderstorms into the evening - from the safety of the mountain huts or hotel rooms! Unfortunately our luck didn't hold for the full fortnight, with the last few days being done in thick mist or rain, but even in the thick mist the high passes can retain a mystical quality with rocks and peaks suddenly appearing and disappearing and the cloud moves about.

Goats on the trail

The excellent weather seems to have made the routes even more popular this year and we noticed an increase in the number of walkers, particularly on the sections of the Haute Route that are shared with the Tour du Mont Blanc. However, the Haute Route is still the less-popular route of the two, most likely because of its more demanding nature.

Looking back to Lac des Dix

Since the Haute Route is higher than the Tour du Mont Blanc, the walking season starts later and we found ourselves doing a couple of the Tour du Mont Blanc days once the season for that route was well underway. Having previously only walked Tour du Mont Blanc pre-season we had not seen the mule transfers that some groups use to transfer walkers' baggage from one hotel to the next. These fascinating animals look very much like horses but have longer, fuzzier ears and frequently let out loud donkey brays, which can be disconcerting if you are not expecting it! They are more efficient than vehicle transfers as the road route often has to go for many miles out of the way to bypass the mountains, whereas the high routes over the cols are much more direct.

Mules carrying packs on the Tour du Mont Blanc

The wildlife on the Haute Route is just as noticeable as on the Tour du Mont Blanc and it was all flourishing while we were there. There are alpine meadows full of flowers and butterflies, clouds of butterflies often rose up from the path with each step we took and there were even patches of flowers on the high rocky cols where you wouldn't expect anything to survive well. Marmots were also widely seen - but mostly heard! Their high-pitched squeaks can be found almost everywhere there is rocky ground interspersed with grassy slopes. On the rockiest slopes, we frequently saw goats, chamois and ibex, often very close to the path. They are very used to seeing walkers and often allow you to get quite close to them before they suddenly bound off, usually up or down a near-vertical cliff face.

Approaching Cabane des Dix

The winter seemed to have caused relatively little damage to the Haute Route in most areas and the paths were largely unchanged from last year. The only exception to this general rule is the ever-changeable Europaweg, which can be taken for the final two days of the overall route.

The Cabane des Dix area again

The first day of the Europaweg is still passable but there have been significant landslides and increases in the amount of moraine that obstruct the path. This has increased the amount of technical ground that needs to be crossed, which is exciting and challenging but does increase the length of time it takes to get through the day. The second day of the Europaweg has been significantly altered as a bridge was washed away during the winter. This has caused a large detour to the route and the path now descends from the Europahuette almost as far as the valley floor at Randa before contouring at a lower level and reascending later on.

The Grand Dessert and its turquoise tarns

The final walk into Zermatt along the valley route is a revelation, as the small town suddenly appears from behind a small rise, with the distinctive shape of the Matterhorn in the background on a clear day - a welcome end point after such a walk. Dropping down behind the train station, we were amused by the tiny, electric cars that transport everyone around (normal vehicles are not permitted in Zermatt) and the busy, bustling streets are a huge contrast to the quiet, mountain solitude that has gone before for so many days.

The unmistakeable Matterhorn!

Walker's Haute Route - our classic 14-stage self-guided trek
Walker's Haute Route (Guided) - trek guided with an IML
Walker's Haute Route West - trek from Chamonix to Arolla...
Walker's Haute Route East - ... or from Arolla to Zermatt

Swaledale in July

2011-07-18T21:38:00.003+01:00

Here are two photos from explorations in the Yorkshire Dales yesterday, in mid-July 2011:

Hay fields and barns in Swaledale

Hardraw Force near Hawes in Wendsleydale

Both of these scenes are short strolls off the Pennine Way trail.

Pennine Way - see our trips

Tour du Mont Blanc conditions

2011-07-07T01:42:00.003+01:00

(Simon writes) As every year, we check out the TMB immediately before the summer season. This means recces in late June, which this year were spread among Joy, Pete, Anna-Maria and Chris, and me, covering various sections each.

Col du Bonhomme from an unusual angle, by Pete

Our TMB clients are receiving our Season Update, which collects our notes from these recces. We update everyone on changed logistics around the route and on the snow level. Snow this early summer is almost non-existent on the TMB, in great contrast to 2010 when it was abundant still at the end of June.

Walking up towards Lac de Combal and Rif Elisabetta

Many day walkers were out and about near Lac de Combal in some splendid late-June sun.

Bavarian Gentians in the sun

Refuge Bonhomme under a cloud

Please join us on the TMB, whether in 2011 or 2012. We have spaces left on some of our guided TMBs this summer, and availability for self-guided trips at various points. It's exhilarating to see the season start again.

Tour du Mont Blanc (Self-Guided)
Tour du Mont Blanc (Guided)

Davey is found!

2011-07-07T00:19:00.003+01:00

We are delighted to say that Davey the little terrier dog has been found safe and well in Onich, having gone missing from the West Highland Way stage into Fort William. Well done to his owners Helen and Mike and to all local residents who looked for him. A happy ending!

The West Highland Way, by Pete

2011-05-25T15:49:00.006+01:00

(Pete Ellis writes)
Tuesday 3rd May, 8 intrepid Canadians (4 Parkers and 4 Wallaces) plus Pete arrive at the start point of the West Highland Way in Milngavie. The arrival, 10am, had been delayed by pressing business at a well-known supermarket. Being soon after Easter, it appears that chocolate mini-eggs were on special offer and a substantial supply was bought up for the week.

At Milngavie, ready to hit the trail

So, after the usual photo-call, off we set in glorious sunshine. A gentle first day soon saw us in Drymen.

Wednesday also dawned bright and sunny, and after a short diversion in Garadhban Forest, the whole group made it to the top of Conic Hill for a splendid view over Loch Lomond. Well done to Les and Bill, who have now summited two hills in Europe!

Approaching Conic Hill and Loch Lomond

After a leisurely lunch, the woods beside Loch Lomond proved more taxing than expected, not helped by the leader saying ‘this is the last little bit of up’ only to find another little bit of up around the next corner. Fortunately the said leader found a pair of earmuffs hanging from a tree, which were put to very good use when the barracking started (I must remember to take them on future trips!).

Loch Lomond in evening light

Thursday, and along the shores of Loch Lomond. Three days on the trail, and still no rain – could it last? The ambiance of the Drovers’ Inn was enjoyed in the evening.

Friday: not so sunny but still dry. A small area of mud/muck was encountered which necessitated the leader applying the earmuffs for a while until things had quietened down. The chocolate mini-eggs were still being liberally distributed.

Saturday: a long day ahead, 30km from Tyndrum to Kingshouse. An unpromising start (light showers) soon improved to give a largely dry day. In the afternoon, a long and loud rumble of thunder caused a quickening of the pace, but the dark clouds over the Blackmount hills fortunately didn’t amount to anything: Rannoch Moor is not the best place to be in a thunderstorm! A very welcome drink was enjoyed at the Kingshouse, before transferring to the Clachaig for the night.

At Ba Bridge on Rannoch Moor

Sunday: pretty wet, but only a short day so plenty of time in Kinlochleven to dry out. Luckily, the rain and clouds held off for long enough to get a good view of Ben Nevis from the top of the Devil’s Staircase. With the rain falling, there wasn’t much interest in hearing about Patrick MacGill and the hard life of the navvies that built the Blackwater dam in the early 1900s.

Belted Galloways, that distinctive breed

Monday: showers again, but views in between. And soon we were strolling down Fort William’s High Street to the new finish of the West Highland Way in Gordon Square – and the man will still be sat on the bench rubbing his foot!

So, another good week amongst the mountains of Scotland, with the usual mix of Scottish weather. And thanks to a great group of clients: we had a load of fun, lots of banter, a few cuckoo impressions, and we consumed 27 packets of chocolate mini-eggs. Is that a record?

West Highland Way - our WHW trek, available guided in 2012

Dog lost on the West Highland Way

2011-05-25T15:39:00.003+01:00

A dog has been lost on the West Highland Way near Kinlochleven, on Sunday 15 May 2011. His name is Davey and he is a terrier cross, brown, and 2 years old.

Davey was seen in good condition in the area of the fish farm on the road between Kinlochleven and North Ballachulish, towards the North Ballachulish end, on Sunday 22 May, not on the WHW route itself.

Davey's owners have led an exemplary search and are extremely keen to find him. If you see Davey please call Helen on 07747 807 734. Thank you.

Davey afoot in the Highlands

Contact us

Pete's 2011 Pennine Way recce

2011-04-26T00:13:00.005+01:00

(Pete Ellis writes)
I have just returned from a trip to check and update all the Pennine Way route cards.

Crumbling dry stone walls in Calderdale, above Hebden Bridge

I had my doubts about starting the Pennine Way on the 1st April, but my misgivings over the date proved unfounded. 16 days walking in largely dry conditions, surrounded by the sights and sounds of spring, have been a pure joy. Spring is such a wonderful time to be out in the hills: the lapwings have been doing their tumbling display flight, the snipe have been drumming, the Golden Plovers have been making their plaintive calls, and I heard my first cuckoo of the year.

An Emperor Hawkmoth

All the fresh green growth has given the countryside a wonderful new look after the drabness of the winter. Other sights have included lots of young lambs, spring flowers, frog spawn, and a few less-often seen animals such as an Emperor Hawkmoth and a large Grass snake.

In Baldersdale

And I was not alone on the trail, even at this time of year. Three others started on the same day as me and I met a number of people doing the route in smaller chunks. To the regulars that I kept meeting: thanks for your conversation, friendship and camaraderie. You really help to ‘make’ a trip like this.

High Cup, the magnificent sight before reaching Dufton

I’m pleased to report that Alpine Exploratory’s routecards were mostly accurate for 2011, but a few areas needed updating. If you previously struggled with the Alston to Middleton section, then you were not alone! But all should be plain and simple now.

Low Force on the River Tees... High Force comes later on

So what’s my next appointment with Alpine Exploratory? Leading the West Highland Way in 2 weeks’ time. I can’t wait!

Nearing The Cheviot, the major hill on the last stage

Pennine Way
West Highland Way

Dales Way exploration in Spring

2011-03-19T22:19:00.003Z

(Simon writes) Spring always feels like it has sprung when new-born lambs are about. Fields become pictures of serenity in the newly warm light and warm air, each mother sheep being orbited by two tiny lambs.

Today I walked from Sedbergh to Kendal along the Dales Way, before our first season on this super week-long trek.

Beautiful lambs near Sedbergh

Sedbergh is one of the major stops on the Dales Way. Here we see it tucked under the Howgill Fells

Following close to the River Lune towards the North

This is definitely sheep country. At Lune Viaduct

The Yorkshire Dales National Park logo crops up here and there, here seen carved and painted yellow on a wooden footbridge

Dales Way - see our super trek from Ilkley to Bowness

Robin Hood's Bay in the sun

2011-02-17T00:23:00.007Z

(Simon writes) In warm February sunshine I spent Wednesday afternoon in Robin Hood's Bay, visiting accommodation and seeing how the land lies before our 2011 Coast to Coast season. Robin Hood's Bay is of course the pretty village at the end of the Coast to Coast trek.

Houses jostle for position in Robin Hood's Bay

From the coastal path continuing South, the village is set against the cliffs on which the Coast to Coast enters town

Close-up of the froth in the sea below

One of many snickets in the old village above the bay. To explore these alleys is a pleasure, following one's nose

The scene in the bay on this quiet winter day

Higgledy-piggledy rooftops

Coast to Coasters can approach the old village down this path

Meeting our hosts in their B&Bs and hotels is always a reminder of how many different experiences come packed into a two-week holiday. For example, we love to book classic guest houses, and village inns or and restaurants-with-rooms, run by enthusiastic owners. Part of the charm is that no two places are alike. A manor house in its gardens is a treat and adds further to the great mix.

It's fair to say that you don't take on a guest house if you don't like to chat, so on our recces we hear a few tales. Hosts are rarely short of banter for guests!

Coast to Coast - the full trek in two splendid weeks
Coast to Coast East - our week-long half

New for 2011's info packs

2011-02-06T19:27:00.003Z

Hot off the production line for our clients in 2011 are our new Alpine Exploratory folders! Here are two photos.

From the front...

... and on the back

As ever, the info pack includes your itinerary and lots of notes, and for self-guided clients the maps and routecards too, and is the major set of info that our clients receive before their trip. We're looking forward to sending out our new folders during 2011.

Holidays - see them all, guided or self-guided

Chamonix in the winter

2011-01-21T17:46:00.005Z

(Simon writes:) Our clients familiar with our Tour du Mont Blanc, Walker's Haute Route and Chamonix trips might wonder what the area looks like in winter. Here it is!

Above Les Houches, this chalet sits in front of a wide view of the valley

Here is Joy O'Flanagan, one of our new leaders for 2011, above Le Tour. I met up with Joy for an afternoon's skiing in the Vallorcine / Le Tour area. Joy lives in Chamonix and will be excellent company on the TMB and other treks.

High above where the TMB trail crosses this hillside, here is the view from the top of the Cornu chairlift

Looking down on clouds: this valley is the one holding Le Fayet, the town at the end of the motorway and start of the steep climb to Les Houches and Chamonix

New Year is taken seriously in Chamonix. The square outside the casino, with the famous statue of de Saussure and Balmat surveying Mont Blanc, is rammed with people as it nears midnight. Bright colours and bobbles are a key look this season...

People - more about our leaders

Tour du Mont Blanc (Guided) - our superb TMB trip led by the team

Flooding in Dentdale

2011-01-21T17:35:00.003Z

(Simon writes:) Here was the scene last Saturday at the foot of the hill below Dent station, at the hamlet of Cowgill, where the Dales Way runs alongside the River Dee. As can happen in Dentdale, the river rose and made the two roads in the valley impassable. It's tricky to capture the scene in a gale but here is my effort!

Dales Way - our trek which passes through Dentdale in more clement months

Lake District research over New Year

2011-01-12T16:49:00.006Z

(Chris Beardsley and Anna-Maria Luton write:) Between Christmas and New Year, we reviewed the Lake District Traverse route, spanning the Lake District from Penrith in the North-East to St Bees in the West.

The Lake District Traverse emerges quickly from Penrith and takes a scenic route across fields to Pooley Bridge before following the edge of Ullswater to Patterdale. After Patterdale, the walk trends up into the hills, passing Grizedale Tarn under Dollywagon Pike and then dropping down to valley level before climbing again to Blea Tarn and the tiny hamlet of Watendlath. From Rosthwaite the route climbs the side of Cat Bells, giving great views of Derwent Water and the North Lakes fells in the background. Over Cat Bells, the route descends into the quiet and peaceful Newlands valley before climbing steadily to the remote pass over into Buttermere. The next valley is the remote Ennerdale. The route stops in at the small village of Ennerdale Bridge before following a scenic route across fields to the sea and St Bees.

Thanks to the overcast weather we didn't get many photos but we've included some photos from previous reviews of this route. Some of the scenery is breathtaking - the Lake District at its most remote.

The rocky outcrop of Robin Hood's Seat above Ennerdale Water

We found that one or two signposts had been knocked down by the winter weather but otherwise the paths and path markings are largely the same as they had been during the preceding season. This is in sharp contrast to the prior year when the floods had dramatically changed a number of paths! Similarly, most of the stiles and gates remained as they were last year.

At Rigg Beck, the house that is being built on the site of an old, ruined farmhouse is looking like it will soon be finished. We've been watching it grow from the new foundations over the last two winter seasons, guessing with each trip what it might become, and it is now transformed into a substantial property. It looks like it might even be a hotel or hostel of some sort.

As regards weather, we were treated to a dry but very overcast week. In the couple of days after Christmas before we began our review, the Lake District had a thaw that removed much of the snow, even on the high passes. However, despite the lack of snow which we had prepared for, we were still treated to sub-zero temperatures on most days.

Dropping into the hamlet of Watendlath

When we reviewed the North Lakes Circuit and the South Lakes Circuit in November, there were unexpectedly deep amounts of snow in the pass from the Newlands Valley over to Buttermere and also in the hills between Buttermere and Rosthwaite and the fells between Watendlath and Blea Tarn. However, because of the extremely low temperatures leading up to Christmas, the snow had thawed from all except the highest areas (we could see that there were still deep cornices in the snow on the Helvellyn ridges).

Peaceful Borrowdale

There was still a significant amount of ice on the hills, both in the tarns and rivers and on the paths in some places where it had been very wet. This ice was often very thick, causing problems for those walkers who were not prepared for it, and it looked like the ice could remain for some time, even with warmer weather.

Since our review spanned New Year's Eve we happened to have stopped in Buttermere on the night of the celebrations and were treated to a loud and spectacular firework display from the Lakeside. The hotel was doing a roaring trade and it definitely seemed the place to be for the evening!

Lake District Traverse - full details of this self-guided trek

WHW and GGW

2010-11-08T21:51:00.008Z

Here are photos from our recces in the Highlands of Scotland, for the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way. Autumn was on full display in this the first week of November 2010, with superb colours in the forests.

We have added detours and variations to our Great Glen Way routecards and popped in to see lots of our hoteliers and B&B owners. Great fun as always.

In Kinlochleven, the West Highland Way passes the Ice Factor, a climbing centre housed in part of the old aluminium works.

Now on the Great Glen Way, here's a hull of an old boat on the shores of Loch Lochy.

Looking North along Loch Lochy; this is the GGW path.

Further up the Great Glen, on Loch Ness, a flock of birds flew down the water.

Night time in Inverness, the vibrant little city and end of the GGW.

The last stage of the GGW crosses rolling landscapes.

These are the GGW marker posts.

Now down the Great Glen at Invergarry, a typical Highland cottage.

Between Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig is the Clan Cameron Museum, reachable from the Great Glen Way.

Loch Arkaig is also a detour from the GGW. This is a loch that extends from a relatively accessible part of Lochaber to the fringes of Knoydart, one of the more remote areas of the Scottish mainland.

A rickety old bridge over the outflow of Loch Arkaig.

Back towards Spean Bridge, a new path passes General Wade's ruined High Bridge.

Please don't hesitate to email or call us to discuss these two superb treks for 2011. Thank you.

West Highland Way
Great Glen Way

Guided dates for 2011

2010-10-31T09:18:00.002Z

We have set our dates for summer 2011's scheduled guided trips, as follows. Please join us on any of these trips. If no dates are good for you or if you'd prefer a private trip anyway, please just let us know and we'll give you details for your own trip.

Chamonix Mountain Walking (Guided)
02/7 to 09/7 2011
16/7 to 23/7 2011
30/7 to 06/8 2011
13/8 to 20/8 2011
27/8 to 03/9 2011
10/9 to 17/9 2011
Chamonix Mountain Walking (Guided)

Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut (Guided)
02/7 to 09/7 2011
09/7 to 16/7 2011
30/7 to 06/8 2011
28/8 to 04/9 2011
10/9 to 17/9 2011
Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut (Guided)

Swiss Valais (Guided)
09/7 to 16/7 2011
23/7 to 30/7 2011
06/8 to 13/8 2011
20/8 to 27/8 2011
03/9 to 10/9 2011
Swiss Valais (Guided)

Tour du Mont Blanc (Guided)
09/7 to 23/7 2011
23/7 to 06/8 2011
06/8 to 20/8 2011
20/8 to 03/9 2011
03/9 to 17/9 2011
Tour du Mont Blanc (Guided)

Walker's Haute Route (Guided)
16/7 to 31/7 2011
06/8 to 21/8 2011
20/8 to 04/9 2011
03/9 to 18/9 2011
Walker's Haute Route (Guided)

More details on all our guided trips

Upcoming recces

2010-10-28T14:33:00.002+01:00

Among various recces coming up soon, Anna-Maria and Chris will be going over our North Lakes Circuit and South Lakes Circuit treks in November, and Pete will be covering the whole Pennine Way in April.

People

Thoughts on visiting accommodation

2010-10-28T13:44:00.003+01:00

Simon writes: Our rolling visits to our hotels, B&Bs and inns continued this week in the Lakes and the Pennines. Saying hello to our accommodations is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable parts of what we do. This applies whether we're catching up with our regular hosts or meeting people for the first time. It is also enormously instructive as we adjust our normal itineraries for the next year.

A Land Rover in Stonethwaite, Borrowdale

Borrowdale in the Lake District is a valley with several hamlets, perhaps the largest being Rosthwaite. Rosthwaite and nearby Seatoller, Stonethwaite and Longthwaite all have options for our Coast to Coast, North Lakes Circuit and Lake District Traverse trips.

Down the road in Rosthwaite, Borrowdale, a typical scene

It's especially pleasing when we unearth a hidden gem... those hotels or B&Bs where things are just right. The welcome is warm and we know our clients will be looked after. On the other hand, while it's not pleasing it's just as instructive to hit upon those places where things are not right. Of the good people who set themselves up to welcome guests into their home or hotel, a big majority are delightful and welcoming. You wouldn't do it if you weren't. Only a small number are stand-offish or snooty.

Our way of working is to mix turning up on the spot with calling ahead, and to mix staying as guests with shorter visits to look around. Sometimes incognito and sometimes 'cognito', we try to keep in mind what our clients themselves will experience.

After saying hello to selected B&Bs in Lakeland (in Coniston, Ambleside, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Keswick and Threlkeld) I set off for Hadrian's Wall and ultimately Bellingham... Pennine Way country.

The quiet morning scene in Bellingham on the Pennine Way

Here are some places that we're excited about booking for our clients:

+ On the Pennine Way, a small B&B run by a smashing retired couple. There is genuine warmth here and huge attention to detail. A true find.
+ Also on the Pennine Way, a caring couple running with great hospitality a finely-tuned B&B in a small village.
+ In a Lakeland village a central, characterful hotel with open and friendly staff and owners.
+ A hotel in the Lakes taken over by new owners not too long ago and obviously going on to great things. A wonderful welcome.

Driving back to Settle I followed the river South Tyne via Slaggyford and Alston.

Doves nest in Slaggyford, lower down the Pennine Way

For more info on any of our places or if you have preferences for particular types of accommodation on your trek, please just contact us.

Next destination the Highlands!

Pennine Way
Coast to Coast
Lake District Traverse
North Lakes Circuit

A Coast to Coast completion

2010-10-12T19:16:00.006+01:00

Well done to Richard Harris and Hilary Carrington plus Nelly the dog on their successful completion of the Coast to Coast, this September. The team joined us to walk the route in fine style over two week-long trips.

Richard, Hilary and Nelly at Robin Hood's Bay...

... and with companions from the trail.

Coast to Coast - our self-guided trip on the full route
Coast to Coast West - from St Bees to Kirkby Stephen
Coast to Coast East - from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood's Bay

North York Moors exploration

2010-10-09T14:05:00.006+01:00

Here are photos from a short recce on the Coast to Coast in the North York Moors. Simon writes:

In October when things are quieter it's a pleasure to take more time to catch up with our B&B owners and hoteliers. In order to link up the CTC route with the various accommodation off-route at Clay Bank Top (where no accommodation is to be had right on the route) I walked a loop that took in the hamlet of Chop Gate to the South. The day was a bright one in early October... surprisingly hot.

As at so many of our stops, much of the charm comes from the hosts themselves. All have stories to tell:

+ The ex-marine and policeman running a superb homely B&B in an interesting old house.
+ The relatively new owners of a village inn, further down the CTC, that serves excellent foot.
+ The charming couple who've offered B&B on the Coast to Coast and Cleveland Way for many years and have seen it all. It was lovely to pop in for a chat again, to digest the season that's about to finish, and to discuss improvements to make for next year.

More than ever when chatting to our B&Bs I realise it's a joint effort amongst Alpine Exploratory, the accommodation and the clients to make the holiday superb.

Belted Galloways in Raisdale, just South of the route

The local building tradition in this part of Yorkshire is to groove diagonally the stone's outer face, to channel rainwater. It's pretty and is seen all over the area.

Above Bilsdale. The Coast to Coast crosses the gap in the middle distance, Clay Bank Top.

Coast to Coast - our full trek

Recces in the Dolomites

2010-10-05T20:31:00.009+01:00

(Simon writes) Here are photos from a week of research in the Italian Dolomites at the end of September 2010, in preparation for our new trip. We're on course for a first season in 2012. The trekking is superb in this part of the Dolomites near Cortina d'Ampezzo.

First indications of a snowy trip ahead

Lago di Braies near Dobbiaco, with morning mist...

... and looking back down on the lake

Huge vistas in the Dolomites

The path down from Forcella del Lago

A chapel above Rifugio Scotoni

A cat asleep in a Cortina bookshop

The peaks of Croda da Lago above Cortina

Cloud amassed in Southern Alpine valleys, on the way back from Venice

Details of the new trip will appear here, on our 'In the pipeline' page and of course in our email newsletters. Please contact us any time.

In the pipeline - our up-coming trips
eNews - sign up!

Orton and Sedbergh

2010-10-03T23:01:00.005+01:00

Here are photos from a day's recces and saying hello to our hoteliers and B&B owners, in Orton and Sedbergh.

The Howgill Fells from below Orton

Orton's village shop, handy for our Coast to Coasters

An alley in Sedbergh, which is on the Dales Way

Coast to Coast - our self-guided trek

Twitter

2010-09-14T23:58:00.005+01:00

Alpine Exploratory is on Twitter! Please follow our Twitter page. This will be a source of news snippets and will be in addition to our email newsletters and this blog. Let's see how it goes!

Walker's Haute Route variations

2010-09-06T23:30:00.003+01:00

Simon visited the Swiss Valais at the end of August 2010 to recce some variations to our normal route. These will go into our normal schedules for 2011. It was a sunny trip and here are some photos:

On the Europaweg, the 2-stage route high above the Mattertal that brings trekkers into Zermatt

More Europaweg scenery, in a high rocky cleft

A long metal suspension bridge crosses a landslip

Cabane de Moiry (the modern part) back at the top of Val d'Anniviers

Tranquil La Sage in Val d'Herens

The postbuses wait in Vissoie before heading to Zinal, Grimentz and St Luc

In the rocky corrie between Col de Termin and Col de Louvie

More details of these new options will appear on the holiday pages below. Please contact us any time to chat about your Haute Route in 2011. The scenery on this trek is fabulously good.

Walker's Haute Route (Self-guided)

Walker's Haute Route (Guided)

Haworth and Hebden Bridge

2010-08-27T00:03:00.003+01:00

(Simon writes) Heading south yesterday from Settle to pop in on our Pennine Way hoteliers, I hit Haworth and then Hebden Bridge.

The Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth

Haworth's main street

The Pennine Way runs a couple of km to the West of Hebden Bridge. We have options here... some PWers will enjoy being in the town, while others will favour the option right on the trail. We have excellent options of both types.

It happens that some of our most memorable and welcoming accommodation is tucked away in rural spots away from the towns. Charming owners with individual and independent style make these establishments what they are.

Hebden Bridge and its independent shops

Of course the Pennine Way is a route far from urban. Here is Pinhaw Beacon above Lothersdale, a wide viewpoint yesterday in the August sunshine.

Pinhaw Beacon above Lothersdale

Pennine Way South

Imminent recces

2010-08-26T23:59:00.002+01:00

The Walker's Haute Route has several points at which alternative routes can be taken, including the route via Cabane de Moiry and the high route via the Europaweg into Zermatt. These two areas will be the focus of our recce at the end of August.

Walker's Haute Route

Pennine exploration

2010-08-24T19:37:00.002+01:00

Over recent days we've been on manoeuvres in the Pennines. An ascent of Pen-y-ghent direct from Settle was great fun in the sunshine... and visiting some of our guesthouses in the South Pennines was also enjoyable despite today's lashing rain!

Pen-y-ghent from the South, 22 August 2010

Pennine Way

The TMB above Courmayeur

2010-08-13T10:27:00.003+01:00

The Tour du Mont Blanc's routing has changed on the final descent to Courmayeur, to spend less time on the steep ski tracks. Alpine Exploratory's Pete Ellis has researched this section and we have been sending out updated routecards with the latest info.

Tour du Mont Blanc

The Dolomites

2010-07-13T22:10:00.002+01:00

In late July we shall be scouting in the Italian Dolomites in preparation for our new treks for 2011 or 2012. This should prove great fun!

In the pipeline

TMB conditions in late June

2010-06-30T21:35:00.004+01:00

Here are photos from our recce today, to check the condition of a key Tour du Mont Blanc col - Col du Bonhomme.

This is a snowy start to the Alpine summer. However, the spread of snows is uneven. Today was the last piece in our June pre-season research, making it right up to the minute before our clients start trekking tomorrow, 1st July. We've sent out our updates - about route changes and local facilities as well as conditions - and the season is about to start.

Research and photos by Pete Ellis.

Approach to Col du Bonhomme

Tracks from Col du Bonhomme

The wear line across the slopes

We can still book TMB treks throughout this summer, although certain dates are trickier than others. Please contact us!

Tour du Mont Blanc

Pennine Way routings

2010-04-29T22:15:00.004+01:00

The Pennine Way between Tan Hill and Baldersdale, on the borders of the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines, splits in two with one branch visiting the village of Bowes.

Following recent recces we will begin to offer the direct route to Baldersdale as our norm, missing Bowes. It's a marginal decision and we'll continue to offer both options. As with all our trips, we experiment based on our research and our clients' thoughts. The moorland stretches direct to Baldersdale are lonely but charming.

Pennine Way
Pennine Way Central

This blog has moved

2010-04-29T21:37:00.001+01:00

This blog is now located at http://alpineexploratory.blogspot.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://alpineexploratory.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

We have moved to the Dales!

2010-04-06T20:53:00.003+01:00

Alpine Exploratory has moved to the Yorkshire Dales, or to the edge of the National Park at any rate. The market town of Settle is our new base. Here are the new contact details:

Alpine Exploratory
7 Victoria Street
Settle
BD24 9HD
United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0)1729 823 197
Fax +44 (0)1729 822 679

This is Three Peaks country and it will be a pleasure to continue our recces in the Yorkshire Dales from Settle.

Contact us

Recces in the Yorkshire Dales

2009-12-22T22:21:00.005Z

For our forthcoming trip, the Yorkshire Dales Explorer, we spent an enjoyable few days in mid-December researching more walking routes.

A frost near Buckden in Wharfedale

At Hubberholme's church

Semer Water above Wensleydale

In the bottom of Arkengarthdale

Above Thwaite is a superb view down Swaledale

A close-up on the sheep

We'll be putting up full details of this trip in the coming weeks, ready for its first season in 2010.

In the pipeline

Great Glen Way ready for 2010

2009-11-18T20:44:00.002Z

Our research on the Great Glen Way is complete. This is the long-distance path from Fort William to Inverness that roughly follows the Great Glen, the obvious geological fault in the Highlands. The trek is 111km or 70 miles long, runs generally over easy terrain and has limited ascent, and takes roughly 5 or 6 days. Full details will appear on a holiday page in the next few days. In the meantime please contact us to chat about the route for 2010.

A beautiful cow beside the Caledonian Canal, November 2009

Autumn on the Haute Route

2009-10-16T10:52:00.004+01:00

It is decidedly Autumnal in the Alps. A week of research in Switzerland brought all types of weather, as is common at this type of year: some sun but also some rain, cloud, wind and snow.

At the Meidpass, one of the passes on the way to Gruben

The wintry scene at Lac de Moiry after snowfall overnight

Gruben in the quiet Turtmanntal

The lower part of Gasenreid, above St Niklaus

For our 2010 season we will offer the routes via St Luc and Hotel Weisshorn as alternatives, giving possibilities for more atmospheric or more gentle crossings to Gruben in addition to the normal route from Zinal. Details will be on the holiday pages below, plus our forthcoming Walking Guides page to the Haute Route. Please contact us at any point to discuss the trek.

Walker's Haute Route
Walker's Haute Route (Guided)

Guided trek dates in 2010

2009-10-02T13:42:00.003+01:00

For 2010 we will be offering three scheduled guided treks each on the Tour du Mont Blanc and Walker's Haute Route. Here are the dates:

Tour du Mont Blanc (Guided)

3-17 July 2010
31 July to 14 August 2010
4-18 September 2010

Walker's Haute Route (Guided)

17 to 31 July 2010
14 to 28 August 2010
31 August to 14 September 2010

Please contact us for more info or to book in. We are looking forward to summer 2010 already!

Exploration in the Dales borders

2009-09-15T21:25:00.005+01:00

Here are three photos from recent explorations in the rolling landscape between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. This is an agreeable area crossed by the Coast to Coast but otherwise overlooked in favour of the national parks on either side.

Horses above Great Asby

A lime kiln near Orton: on the Coast to Coast

A barn and sheep near the River Eden at Mallerstang

Ennerdale in the rain

2009-08-24T00:19:00.005+01:00

Life on the Coast to Coast is not all fun in the sun. Here's the section along Ennerdale Water yesterday, a wet and windy day in late August 2009.

Coast to Coasters in the Lakes yesterday will have met it all: rain from all angles, tricky navigation in mist and wet paths underfoot. All part of the experience!

Coast to Coast

A spin around Staveley

2009-08-17T00:35:00.003+01:00

Apologies to Buster for the unflattering, if cute, photo. Here is the beast in the rolling hinterland of Staveley, Cumbria, enjoying a good shake in the early-morning sunshine.

New feature: trip reports with photos

2009-08-17T00:25:00.003+01:00

In order to show what we and our clients are getting up to, we tentatively introduce a new type of page. This will be a page of photos for a client's trip or for a recce of ours. Please see the Images page for links. There are two pages for starters and let's see how this goes!

A recce in Italy

2009-07-04T00:07:00.003+01:00

Simon looked over part of the TMB in Italy this June as part of our annual pre-season recces. Here are 3 photos:

A quiet Courmayeur, distinctly early season

Mont Chetif and Monte Bianco from the climb to friendly Rifugio Bertone

A peaceful barn tucked away in the Armina valley

Three good options exist on the stage from Courmayeur. Each suits different people and weather. All are of course highly scenic... how could they fail to be?

Tour du Mont Blanc

A canine client finishes the WHW

2009-07-03T23:58:00.007+01:00

Here is Corrie the dog pictured in June 2009 on the Devil's Staircase, West Highland Way. It's no mean feat for a dog to walk 100 miles in a week. Well done!

West Highland Way

New hats and caps

2009-05-31T15:21:00.003+01:00

Please take a look at our kit page for our new merchandise, now readily available:

Alpine Exploratory kit

Pennine Way complete

2009-04-15T11:07:00.003+01:00

Our research on the Pennine Way is complete. For spring and summer 2009 we are now offering the whole route from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.

The PW is magnificent. It is frustrating, challenging, at times bleak and wet, but it's magnificent.

Over the next few days we'll update our pages to include full details of our PW trip and of course the Pennine Way North for our clients who are completing it stage-wise. We'll also update our Walking Guide page on the PW:

The Pennine Way: A guide to the walk

Please contact us to chat about this superb route.

Looking to Hen Hole in the Cheviot hills

Kirk Yetholm on a warm evening, Easter 2009

Pennine Way
Pennine Way North

Pennine Way exploration

2009-03-17T22:43:00.003Z

Our research continues into the northern stages of the Pennine Way. There is a certain charm to the rolling, open landscape between the Pennine and the Cheviot Hills, even if there is none of the boldness of these two ranges.

Easy walking in Wark Forest

A sheep on the path, Wark Forest

Gentle terrain, much striding out

Bellingham, a major staging post on these northern legs

Pennine Way North

Wild flowers in the Julian Alps

2009-03-13T18:12:00.004Z

Our trip to the Julian Alps valleys is a way to walk in the Alps outside the main summer season. Spring and early summer, meaning May and June, are superb times to be out and about. Flowers can be abundant in meadows and on hillsides.

To make the most of these spring flowers, time your trip with us to match the International Wild Flower Festival run in the Bohinj area. This goes from 23 May to 6 June and is in its 3rd year. There will be tours, seminars, exhibitions and more. Ask us for more details and let us plan your trip.

Julian Alps Bohinj Valley
Flowers of the Julian Alps

Lake District exploration

2009-02-19T12:08:00.004Z

Here are photos from a recent series of walks in the Lake District, as part of our research into routes both new and current. In particular these are scenes from our South Lakes Circuit route, a gentle 4-day trek from Ambleside. The cold and grey weather will be gone before long... Spring is not far away.

At Blea Tarn on the way to Great Langdale

Sheep feeding in Great Langdale

An iced-over Tarn Hows

Striking colours on a wall above Coniston

South Lakes Circuit - join us from March to November

Plentiful snow in the Alps

2009-01-14T17:25:00.009Z

December saw snowfall in the Alps on a once-in-a-generation scale, giving a superb start to the season for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and other winter activists. For all concerned, the guarantee of snow down to village level has been welcome.

Here are a couple of pictures from our January explorations in the French regon of the Haute Maurienne, Savoie:

Snowshoeing: An introduction

Guided holidays, Summer 2009

2008-12-22T17:21:00.002Z

We've added a guided option on the Walker's Haute Route, for summer 2009. This is our 5th guided trip in our schedule and we hope it will prove good fun!

For 2009, across all 5 guided trips, we're offering scheduled trips - these are trips on set dates that are open to all-comers. So, if you're coming by yourself or as a couple, or in any small group, we hope this will be of interest. If you're a group of about 5 or more, and fancy different dates or going by yourselves, let us know and we'll plan a private guided trip for you.

So, here are the dates for the scheduled trips:

Swiss Valais: 27 June to 4 July 2009
Chamonix Mountain Walking: 11 to 18 July 2009
Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut: 25 July to 1 August 2009
Walker's Haute Route: 15-29 August 2009
Tour du Mont Blanc: 5-19 September 2009

Please contact us for more info about what these guided trips involve. Thank you.

Guided walking holidays in the Alps

Snowshoe dates for Winter 2010

2008-12-16T18:47:00.003Z

Our scheduled snowshoe trips are now available to book for 2010. It seems a long way off, but it'll soon come round... These are of course additional to our service of private trips for pre-formed groups of family and friends. So, here are the dates:

Chamonix Snowshoeing - 7 nights - 16-23 January 2010 Vaudoise Alps Snowshoeing - 5 nights - 13-18 March 2010

Chamonix Snowshoeing

Vaudoise Alps Snowshoeing

Chamonix Snowshoeing in 2010

2008-12-12T10:03:00.003Z

For Winter 2010 we are offering a scheduled Chamonix Snowshoeing trip, open to all. Join others to explore the winter hills around Chamonix, with an expert leader. This will run during January, with dates to be announced soon, and is in addition to our standard service of private group trips available at any time during this coming winter (2009) and winter 2010. Please see our updated page for more info:

Chamonix Snowshoeing

Welcome to the Exploratory blog

2008-12-03T19:51:00.003Z

Our News & Events page has today become the Exploratory blog. A blog is just an online diary; we'll use this blog to keep readers up to speed with what's going on at Alpine Exploratory. Thank you for reading, and we hope it's useful.

Pennine Way on Hadrian's Wall

2008-11-28T17:11:00.006Z

As part of our research for our Pennine Way North trip, planned for 2009, we visited Hadrian's Wall in November 2008. For the day's walk between Greenhead and a point just before Housesteads, the Pennine Way runs along the wall and thus follows the Hadrian's Wall Way.

The photo shows the open country into which the Pennine Way ventures as it leaves the Wall for its final journey North to the Cheviot Hills.

Pennine Way North

New trip to the Lake District

2008-11-28T16:56:00.002Z

We have introduced a new trip for 2009, to the Lake District in England. The intention is to give first-timers to the area a thorough introduction to the region and to give old hands a trip full of experiences different to the usual.

This is one of our most flexible trips. We suggest a schedule that takes in various parts of the Lakes over one week, but this is nothing more than a suggestion... we aim to discuss with clients what they'd like to do, then plan an itinerary just for them. Please see the new trip page for full details:

Lake District Explorer

Kendal Mountain Festival 2008

2008-10-28T17:16:00.002Z

The Kendal Mountain Festival will run from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 November 2009. Films, speakers, art and literature all vie for your attention. To combine thinking with doing, incorporate a short trek in the nearby Lake District into your trip:

South Lakes Circuit

Meet the Tour de France 2009

2008-10-24T14:45:00.004+01:00

Cycling fan or in search of spectacle? 2009's Tour de France route gives lots of scope for viewing while on one of our trips to the Alps, as follows. Come and see it...

... on a chalet holiday in the French Tarentaise
The Tour de France spends the night of 21 July in Bourg Saint Maurice, having dropped down from Col du Petit Saint Bernard and before heading off over the Cormet de Roselend. Bourg Saint Maurice is a pleasant town local to our chalet holiday in the Tarentaise. There's plenty to do in the area as it is, as well as our easy Alpine walks, but the added bonus of the Tour will make this a special week.

French Alps Multi-Activity

... on a break in Chamonix
Chamonix is not visited by this year's TdF, but is handily placed on the train line between two viewing places. Take the Mont Blanc Express in one direction on 19 or 21 July to see the riders at Martigny; take it in the other direction on the 22nd to see them pass through Sallanches.

Chamonix Mountain Walking

... on the Tour du Mont Blanc
As in 2007, the Tours coincide near les Chapieux. This time they're riding from Bourg Saint Maurice to Beaufort rather than the other way round. So, with a bit of spare time on 22 July you can catch the riders as they labour up the slopes to the Cormet de Roselend.

Tour du Mont Blanc

... on the Walker's Haute Route - in Switzerland!
Unusually for the TdF, two nights will be spent in Switzerland. On 19 July this gives a chance for Haute Route trekkers to follow the race in the valley between Sembrancher and Le Chable before its uphill finish in Verbier. The race rests in this resort on the 20th before restarting from Martigny on 21 July, again passing Sembrancher on the way to Col du Grand Saint Bernard.

Walker's Haute Route

Please contact us for greater detail. Timings are key, both of your start dates and of your walking times, and we can advise on the ins and outs.

New! Walker's Haute Route

2008-10-10T12:59:00.001+01:00

We're thrilled to be offering a new trip for summer 2009: the Walker's Haute Route. This is one of the classic treks of Europe, taking about a fortnight. It's distinct from the original or 'Classic' Haute Route which is a ski tour or high-mountain expedition. The Walker's version sticks to walker's trails, often challenging, but nevertheless a walker's domain.

The route runs from Chamonix to Zermatt. Along the way, a series of passes need to be crossed; these passes are on the North-South mountain ridges that run up to the main Pennine chain of this part of the Alps. Passes are typically 2,800m or 2,900m. Stages are broken up by villages and huts, for the most part handily placed.

We are offering the whole route, plus each half of the route. It splits quite neatly into two at Arolla.

Please see our pages and let us know any time if you'd like to discuss options or book yourselves in:

Walker's Haute Route
Walker's Haute Route West
Walker's Haute Route East

New aspects to the Swiss Valais

2008-10-04T11:08:00.001+01:00

We've updated our Swiss Valais trips for 2009 to include time in two extra valleys: Val d'Anniviers and the Mattertal. The village of Zinal will be our base in Val d'Anniviers and buzzing Zermatt will be our base in the Mattertal. Over the course of a week, instead of the previous long weekend or mid-week break, there is much more scope for our clients to get to know the stunning Valais scenery.

Of course, our standard trip is just one of many itineraries that we can book. Shorter trips will still be very feasible, as will trips based entirely in one valley. As ever, please contact us for more information and to chat about your ideal trip. Please see our new pages as follows:

Swiss Valais (Self-Guided)
Swiss Valais (Guided)

Call us for free

2008-10-02T16:41:00.002+01:00

There's a new way to contact us to chat about walking holidays: calling for free over the internet. Use Skype and call us at our name "alpineexploratory".

This could be helpful for our overseas clients. If you prefer to ask questions over the phone rather than by email, please call us any time and we'll be delighted to give you more information.

Miss Potter

2008-01-18T12:59:00.001Z

The movie Miss Potter, about the life of famous children's author Beatrix Potter, came out in January 2007. Beatrix Potter is well known for having lived in the Lake District and the film was shot at various locations in the area, particularly in the South around Hawkshead, Yewdale, Windermere and other places. If seeing the film has made you keen to visit the Lakes, you'll find the region geared up to welcome you! UK Exploratory can also help out.

A number of our self-guided walking holidays in the Lake District happen to pass filming locations and by taking the odd detour you can see the full range of locations.

South Lakes Circuit - hike a 4-day circuit with nights in Hawkshead, Coniston and Great Langdale
North Lakes Circuit - make a spectacular circuit of the North Lakes in 4 days from Keswick
Lake District Explorer - a full exploration of the Lake District across two or more bases

Beatrix Potter lived from 1866 to 1943. As well as her series of books, the first of which was 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', she is known for a great interest in conservation. This led her to acquire over 4,000 acres of land, including 14 farms, in order to preserve its natural beauty. She left this land to the National Trust; it is frequent to come across sections of it as you walk through the South Lakes.

Visit Miss Potter - the tie-in website with Cumbria Tourism

Coast to Coast in full

2007-12-27T16:45:00.001Z

We've been busy during the autumn, making forays to the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales. In addition to our Coast to Coast West route between St Bees and Kirkby Stephen, for 2008 we shall be offering the whole route as far as Robin Hood's Bay. This is our new Coast to Coast self-guided holiday.

We'll also be offering an East route from Kirkby Stephen to complement the West, so that people can complete the route over two separate weeks off work. This is similar to our North and South options on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Hence we now offer:

Coast to Coast
13 stages plus 1 rest day - 15 nights
This is the whole trek and one that will stick in the memory for a long time. So much of England is on display on this very clever route as devised by Arthur Wainwright in the 1970s.

Coast to Coast West
6 stages - 7 nights
Check out the Lake District stages on a hilly week.

Coast to Coast East
7 stages - 8 nights
The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors complete the trek.

As always, we're fully geared up to offering tailor-made treks along the Coast to Coast route. We anticipate that some people will fancy longer trips to further break up the stages, while others will prefer quick dashes. We'll tweak the trips to suit, so just contact us to discuss how you'd like to approach this superb route.

New Three Peaks Holiday

2007-11-20T16:48:00.001Z

After some more good walking in the British Autumn we've developed our Yorkshire Dales Weekend trip into a longer route. It's now a circuit of Ingleborough, passing Whernside and Pen-y-ghent, and we call it the Tour of the Three Peaks. For a 4-day break it gives a chance to become in tune with this very pleasant area, and discover some lesser-known corners. It's a flexible route and each day you can climb one of the hills or take valley paths to the next stopping point.

Tour of the Three Peaks

More Pennine Way exploration

2007-11-11T13:50:00.000Z

We've just finished researching a new holiday, running for 6 days between Edale and Malham on the Pennine Way. These are the first 6 stages of the famous route. Linking Edale to Malham lets us offer the route as far as Alston in the North Pennines, roughly two thirds of the way up. The new trip is the Pennine Way South and is offered as a self-guided walking holiday of 7 nights.

Apart from being a good chunk of this national trail, the holiday gives a week's exploration of some lesser-known upland areas in England. Moors and fields dominate the scenery. It's a walk of gently changing, open views rather than spectacular sights but one that leaves a lasting impression.

Pennine Way South

Kendal Mountain Festivals 2007

2007-11-07T16:52:00.001Z

Kendal is hosting its annual mountain film, book and art festivals between 9 and 18 November 2007.

Kendal Mountain Festivals - the official website

Events take place in the evenings as well as during the day. From a base in the South Lakes it's possible to combine visits to the festival events with walks in the Autumnal landscape. Check out this trip for more information:

South Lakes Circuit - easy walks in the intriguing rolling terrain of South Lakeland

The North Face Ultra Trail Mont Blanc

2007-08-07T17:17:00.000+01:00

Each August a race is held on a circuit of Mont Blanc, roughly following the Tour du Mont Blanc route. In 2007 look out for the race on 24-26 August, starting and finishing in Chamonix. The course is 163km long and climbs more than 8,900m. The fastest competitors expect to run it in under 25 hours and there is a limit of 46 hours for everyone. Around 2,500 runners took part in 2006 - watching them fly by is a real spectacle and was remarked upon by some of our clients last year. Disruption to walkers should be minimal.

Ultra Trail Mont Blanc - the official website of the race

Adventures in the French Alps

2007-07-08T16:54:00.000+01:00

We have put together a new trip that we hope will offer our clients old and new a different way to enjoy the Alps. Bring your family, friends or colleagues for a week of action or relaxation in the Tarentaise region of the French Alps.

Based in a very comfortable chalet, take advantage of as much or as little of the activity as you wish. Walk in the beautiful Vanoise National Park or the Beaufortain and Tarentaise areas; go white water rafting or canyoning; take a mountain bike on the many local trails served by lifts; try paragliding; enjoy some horse riding; you can even take the chance to improve your golf!

The chalet can be taken in its entirety (it sleeps 10 people in 5 bedrooms) or you can come along on your own, in a couple or with a smaller group of friends. See full details of this new trip:

French Alps Multi-Activity - read our detailed 2-page Holiday Notes too, to see all the local activities available

Marathon & Cross du Mont-Blanc

2007-07-07T16:56:00.001+01:00

On the last day in June and first day in July, Chamonix hosted a weekend of racing. There were two main events: the 21km Cross, which left Chamonix for Argentiere along the valley, then climbed up via La Flegere to Planpraz; and the Marathon which did the same but added a loop over Col des Montets, past Vallorcine and back over Col des Posettes to Le Tour and Argentiere. The Marathon was won by Nick Sharp from Britain in a time of 3h 27m 26s.

Mont Blanc Marathon - find out more about the weekend's events

Tour de France 2007 and the Tour du Mont Blanc

2007-07-05T17:14:00.000+01:00

The 8th stage of the Tour de France, the world's most famous cycle race and arguably the biggest sporting event in the world, met the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc this summer. On Sunday 15 July 2007 it was possible to watch the 165km stage between Le Grand Bornand and Tignes, from a vantage point near the village of les Chapieux on the TMB. The stage was won by Michael Rasmussen from Denmark in a time of 4h 49m 40s after a long solo breakaway. Rasmussen's ride also gave him the leader's yellow jersey, thanks to the time he made up on the previous holder.

Tour de France - the official website of Le Tour

Les Chapieux is a staging post on the typical Tour du Mont Blanc route, two stages from the start in Les Houches. It marks the Southern extent of the Mont Blanc circuit. Our accommodation in les Chapieux is a welcoming auberge that makes a good base for exploring the surrounding Beaufortain Alps. The route also passed a few km from our chalet in the Tarentaise, up the hill from Bourg St. Maurice, where we run summer walking and multi-activity holidays.

Tour du Mont Blanc - our popular self-guided walking holiday along this classic trail
French Alps Multi-Activity - rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, you name it!

West Highland Way Race

2007-06-15T17:19:00.000+01:00

Another spectacle takes place each year on one of our long-distance paths, this time in Scotland. At 1am on 23 June 2007 runners set off from Milngavie to complete the West Highland Way to Fort William in under 35 hours. The record has been brought under 16 hours and a total of 76 runners completed the 2007 race.

West Highland Way Race - the official website of the race

New for 2007 in the Julian Alps

2006-09-12T17:20:00.001+01:00

We have added two new itineraries in the Julian Alps ready for summer 2007. Both are self-guided holidays. The new trips complement our existing trips in Slovenia, making 5 in total. The trips range from easy walking holidays based in the valley to more strenuous high-mountain treks.

Trek for 5 days in the high mountains of the range, staying in a range of huts, on our Hut-to-Hut holiday. Previously this longer trek was only available as a guided holiday.

For something totally flexible and (we believe) different to anything currently offered in the industry, take our Julian Alps Starter Pack. This is a pack of information, maps and accommodation bookings designed to let you hit the ground running. For experienced trekkers who know their mountains but don't yet know the Julian Alps, this service has two benefits - reduced time spent planning, and being pointed to the best walking.

Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut
Julian Alps Starter Pack

New option on the Tour du Mont Blanc

2006-07-02T17:22:00.000+01:00

Are you interested in the Tour du Mont Blanc but would you prefer to spend only one week on trek? As well as our main TMB holiday we offer the route in two week-long trips. Choose the Northern or Southern half then walk the other section in the future! The 6-stage Tour du Mont Blanc North leaves the Italian Val Ferret and follows the TMB route via Champex to the Chamonix valley. High-mountain glacial scenery and charming valley floors characterise the stages; your accommodation is varied, characterful and friendly.

Tour du Mont Blanc North

Guided and Self-Guided Holidays