Four days into the Alpine Intro course, working with Chris Ensoll and the weather has gone bad for today at least.
After the normal introduction to pulley systems, prussiking and ropework, we started up the hill. The first day, enroute to the Britannia Hut involved an ascent of a new Klettersteig on the Mittaghorn. I had climbed this N.W. Ridge previously, prior to the fixing of metal ladders and it was pretty loose and dangerous. All that has now changed and the whole day, including the ridge and traversing over to the Hut takes around 6-8 hours including copious rest stops.The most convenient approach to the ridge is via the first section of the Metro Alpin lift system as far as tower four. We spent two nights at the Britannia Hut, with plenty of glacier training and ascents of some local low peaks. Unfortunately, severe weather thwarted our attempt on the Allalinhorn, but we managed some useful ice climbing close to the revolving restaurant, which also serves very good coffee and Apfelstrudel, by the way!

Thanks to Maria Ovens and Marcus Gates for the use of the photos below.
Zoe gaining some shelter at Metro Alpin from the blinding blizzard last Wednesday.
Calm before the storm in Saas Fee
Wet and uncomfortable, but cheerful in the shelter of the Metro Alpin tunnels.
Communal sleeping dormitories at the Britannia Hut. All good fun.

En-route to the Britannia Hut, via the Mittaghorn Klettersteig.
Kit check at the start of the course.
Practicing prussiking in the woods! Cannot believe you put in that photo of me prussiking in the woods! Thanks Alan and Chris for a fantastic week, I am missing the alps already! Just loved the whole experience. Thank you both so much. Take care.

Karen x

Mittaghorn Klettersteig above Saas Fee

Karen & Zoe dreaming of sandy beaches:)

Base camp at the Roby Hotel in Saas Grund

Ibex outside the Britannia Hut

Glacier training above the Britannia Hut with the Allalinhorn above.