Bogong Snippets - Anna's Travels

Bogong staffer Anna Bolmat recently ventured to France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland on a mountaineering trip with her partner Philipp. They encountered unfavourable weather for large part of the trip which put the kibosh on their Mont Blanc attempts. Heavy snow fall and high winds turned them around at the Dome de Gouter. The consolation prize was a trip to Mt Blanc du Tacul, where European summer finally showed its face, resulting in some stunning views from the summit.

They then headed to Alagna in Italy where a window of good weather allowed them to collect a few 4,000m peaks around the Monte Rosa massif including Balmenhorn (4194m), Schwarzhorn (4321m)  Parrot Spitz (4432m)  Signalkuppe (4554m) and Zumsteinspitz (4563m). 

Further on in Switzerland slightly better weather allowed an attempt on the Dufourspitze (4,634m). They ascended on a stunning moonlit night and all was going well until really nasty winds kicked in after 1600m of ascent. They persisted with the ascent until the gusts on the ridge became very scary indeed at about 4,450m forcing them to turn around. Anna reflected that on the upside, the poor weather meant that they had all that extra time to enjoy the amazing pain au chocolates in France and the pizza in Italy! 

Anna says she got to try out her new mountaineering boots (La Sportiva Nepal Cubes) - and they were awesome.


Aguille du Midi, Chamonix with Mt Blanc du Tacul in the background.

Aguille du Midi, Chamonix with Mt Blanc du Tacul in the background. 

 

Anna and Phillip on Signalkuppe, Monte Rosa, with the Matterhorn in the background.    Anna on Signalkuppe, Monte Rosa

Anna and Phillip on Signalkuppe, Monte Rosa, with                  Anna on Signalkuppe, Monte Rosa
the Matterhorn in the background.                          

 

Attempting some yoga, Dufourspitze with Matterhorn in the background    Summit Mt Tondu, Chamonix, looking across at Mt Blanc

Attempting some yoga, Dufourspitze with Matterhorn               Summit Mt Tondu, Chamonix, looking across at Mt Blanc
in the background                                                         

Sunrise above the Gorner Glacier, Zermatt

Sunrise above the Gorner Glacier, Zermatt