In reply to Jack Geldard - Assistant Editor: Yes, certainly inspiring reading and some good pictures - good effort Nick.
You've raised a few points though. The most obvious is the focus of British alpinists on Chamonix. Ok, so a few folk went to the Eiger, but otherwise you could title this "the Activities of Brits in Cham", or more accurately "Brits on the Tacul/Jorasses/Dru". There is lot more to the Alps...did anyone go there? Is the lure of "15 minutes" of internet fame to blame? Or Easyjet? Or dossing chez Baird?
Secondly, this sentence.."I do not climb in the Alps in summer and the body count of approximately thirty in one month...confirms why I believe this to be the correct decision." Yes, the growing number of deaths is worrying, and very sad, but you're implying that summer alpinism is suicidal. That's simply not the case. It's dangerous, yes, but not more so than winter. As more people take up alpine climbing the accident rate is bound to increase, but with the correct skills, route choice, appreciation of current conditions, etc, you can can climb here safely. Thousands do! The Conville Trust, BMC, IFMGA guides, etc are all trying to help folk do just that.
Oh, and "carving seracs"? Sounds terrifying!
So, that sounds like a bit of a rant - it's not really meant that way. If I ever climb anything outside the "Chamonix Box" I'll let you know...
