I looking for any good ideas of snow and ice routes to do int the Alps especially Chamonix or Arolla areas. The sort of things I looking at is the Fredo Spur, North west Face of Petit Mont Collon etc. Any info you have on these routes and any others in the alps ranging from AD-D would be great. Things like time for the route, time of year to go(I'm mainly talking about spring summer time) and what to expect on the climb. Thanks.

-- Sandy Paterson (u03app@abdn.ac.uk), December 11, 1998

Answers

Many of the classic Snow and Ice routes in Chamonix have become very fickle in summer and often quite dangerous. I would strongly recomend if you want to climb snow and ice you consider late March through April. The weather can be very stable, if you are a good mountain skier the approaches and descents are fantastic, and there are literally a hundred routes too choose from. The Frendo spur however is a major undertaking, and dispite it's easy access is a major alpine route. E-mail me if you want specific suggestions on routes.

-- Jim Ansara (Jsa@shawmut-bos.com), December 29, 1998.

I would recommend the North face of Tour Ronde. It is about D- and has a easy access and descend. Since this is a very popular climb, you ought to be early out so you avoid the large crowds of other climbers. The view from the top is very good.

-- Anders Egeland (anders_egeland@hotmail.com), January 24, 2001.