Important news update for this seasons McNab Snowboarding courses!

The winter is on its way and with lots of this!

I'm back in and out of the office now over the inter season and on the run up to the coming winter. There's lots of changes on the go here at 'McNab Snowboarding' at the moment one of which is the creation of a new web site and as such the current one is a little out of sync with what's going on for next year, so I thought I'd quickly explain a few key points and changes.

Firstly, I am scaling things down to provide a more 'personal service' and so that I can focus on the details of providing you with the best on snow coaching and guiding that I can offer. This is the part of the job that inspires me and that means the most to me and as such next seasons calendar is a reduced to only 1 course a week and spaces are limited to 6 per course unless other wise stated (Advanced BC courses at 1 to 3 etc). Quality over quantity and all that!

(I'll personally be guiding and coaching all of the scheduled courses although custom courses are still available for groups and individuals along side the regular program by request.

A preliminary Calendar of this seasons courses can be found on the home page of the web site (www.mcnabsnowboarding.com) scroll down the McNab snowboarding home page to find it!

The big changes for next winter are mainly with regards Accommodation and Lift passes which will no longer be part of the McNab Snowboarding package. With regards Accommodation we are recommending 2 partners that we are working with offering packages at 2 different budget levels. This gives you the choice of how much you want to spend in this area depending on what level of accommodation you're after.

Lift passes will be organized through your Accommodation package.

The posted course price includes 6 days of Guiding or Tuition, Transport to and from the mountain and BC safety equipment where needed.

For the first evening, I will organize a time and a place to meet up for a drink and a chat and will do a pick up for those that need one en route. I'll then do pick ups in the morning, after riding we'll stop off for a bit of 'Apres' somewhere and then I'll drop you off when we're done.

We'll all go out for a curry together in Chamonix on the Thursday night as usual!

When the new site is on line you'll be able to go straight to both accommodation partners and organize your package through them and click a link to organize your transfer to and from the airport so all of this should be pretty straight forwards and idiot proof. In the mean time give us a call or drop me an e-mail - info@mcnabsnowboarding.com and I'll give you more info as needed.

So that's pretty much the score for the Chamonix courses.

For the trips away, things will work pretty much as normal and I'll have more info for those bookings very soon.

This seasons trips are to firstly Gulmarg in the Kashmir region of the Himalaya, (the online price is over estimated and will change as soon as I have the costs confirmed but you can expect it to be lower than stated). I'm very excited about this trip, its an area I've wanted to visit for a while and it has a strong reputation for fine powder!

This trip is in January when the region is meant to get its best snowfall.

Very excited!!

The next trip is the annual classic adventure to Heli Board in Kamchatka, Russia.

Smoking summits and big descents in Kamchatka!

Not a lot needs to be said about this trip, its got to be the best snowboarding terrain on the planet and we can fly and land where we like! This is an amazing trip and an amazing experience and offers the best riding I've ever experienced!

The final trip away come right after Kamchatka and is in the far North of Norway in the lyngem Alps again.

Hiking to get the goods in Lyngen, Norway!

Last years trip was so good that I simply wanted to go back up there but a little earlier in the season so as to get some of the great snow that the region is well known for. this is a big Backcountry experience, all boat and boot access. Lots of hiking and riding in amazing surroundings with a bit of high seas adventure thrown in. oh and all from the comfort of a really plush lodge! Very nice and a great way to finish out the season.

Another day, another summit! This time on the Dome du Miage!

Or it would be except for one final course, the Mont Blanc summits week the first of week of May which makes an even better end to the winter!

Right anyway that should explain things a little better until the new web site is on line so I'd better get working on that. In the mean time for further info drop me an e-mail at: neil@mcnabsnowboatrding.com

More news soon,

Neil.

The Chamonix to Nice bike ride!

Take no prisoners, there can be only 1!

I'm just back from my biking 'holiday' with GPM10.com Chamonix to Nice!

I came straight down off Mont Blanc last week for the last trip up of the summer, that makes it 8 summits out of 10 attempts, 1 blown off due to bad weather and 1 with a client who was suffering from altitude and so we did 2 climbing days instead. Anyway, all done but during the last 2 weeks I did 3 summit trips, 2 via the Cosmiques and then a final real cold one via the Tete Rousse. The last 2 weeks my knees started to ache a little on the descents but after such a long busy summer I guess this is normal.

So I came down on the Tuesday, rested for a couple of days and set off for Nice on the bike on the Friday morning with Andy Cook and a group of 12 other riders.

GPM10 is a small Alpine road cycling training company set up and run by my friend Mark Neep. Over the past few years as cycling has gained in popularity so have his courses and today you're lucky if you can get on one of his big trips sometimes a year in advance. GPM10 clients range in size and age but the one thing they all have in common is their dedication and their passion for cycling.

Me and Andy turned up to meet the rest of the team keen and eager on Friday morning at the hotel Eden over in Les Praz. At around 10ish we're off and hyper keen, its a smooth roll down towards Sallanches first via a small climb up the Vaudagne, this is all familliar territory so far and so I'm feeling confident and can't help blasting off, it being down hill also helps! Mark keeps me in check and his 2 other Cycling superstars (Gareth and Rusty our guides) look at me as if I'm nuts and don't know there's still 600km to go!

From the bottom of the valley we head up to Megeve and then on to the first big climb of the day the col du Saisies 1633m, I feel good but probably go a little hard as its the first day and I'm unaware of the grandness of the next col that follows, the Cornet du Roseland at 1968m and stretched out over 19km of up hill climbing. An amazing descent takes us down to Bourg St Maurice where we regroup and climb up to St Foy.

The end of the first big day and is been a real shock to the system! legs are sore and boddies are in shock. Everyone is giving the Tour de France guys that race this kind of distance everyday, big respect and wondering how we'll do it all again tomorrow.

Day 2 we ride the 40km of uphill from St Foy to the col d' Iseran at a staggering 2770m.

Val d'Isere in the background below the col d'Iseran.

I pace myself better on this one and feel strangely good at the top riding along side Andy who is keeping me in check. We descend together hitting speeds of 75kmh and nearly hitting 2 sheep a herd of goats and 2 Marmotts.
Another climb follows up to the col du Mont Cenis 2083m where its a bit cold and windy but then follows one of the best descents in the Alps down to the Italian town of Susa. We have pretty much traversed over the Alps today and will head back over tomorrow. Today hasn't felt so bad and the riding has been great. Tomorrow is the big one so its time to stuff as much food into the system as possible and sleep.

Day 3 sees us heading up what Mark refers to as a small incline up to to the rolling valley that leads to our first climb up to Montgenevre. The rolling incline sees many riders fading and wondering how they'll make it through the day but soon its over and back together we fly along the rolling roads of the elevated valley some finding welcome shelter in the rear of the fast paced group.

The climb up to Montgenevre doesn't seem to bad and I take the front with Mark, who I think finds it funny to ask questions when he can see that to answer would bring on a certain coronary as you try to take in oxygen through every pore. He quickly names a sprint finish and bolts off as I make a spirited attempt to follow but I'm stuck in the small chain ring and flounder in his wake swareing I'll get him next time!

Arriving at the Col d'Izoard.

A great descent to Briancon and lunch before the 2nd climb of the day up to the Tour de France famed 20km col d' Izoard. The first half of this climb is slightly easier angled and suits my style of riding (which, like most, is great as long as its flat or down hill) and so I power off with the 2 leaders and put in some miles at a strong pace. The top half unfortunately but inevitably kicks up and my pace slows until the 2 infront are long gone and I climb slowly up to the col alone but feeling strangely good.

Another big descent follows down to Guillestre and the final climb up to the col du Vars passing the ski resort of Vars where I did my very first winter season working as a ski intructor in a small french ski school way back in 1987.

Unfortunately as we finish the descent and power along through the gorge towards Guillestre I start to get a pain in the inside of my right knee and as I start the climb it quickly gets worse and I slowly grind to a halt.

The support van gives me a tow up to where the angle eases a little to see if I can carry on but after a couple of further Kilometers of trying everything including riding with one leg I have to call it quits and jump in the van hoping that if I stop now I'll be able to ride tomorrow. By early evening everyone is in the Gite at the top of the col du Vars. Some are more tired than others and some are suffering but all are phsyched for the day ahead that should see us riding all the way 195km to Nice.

The final big day, stormy skies is the norm now as we set off and ride quickly over the col du Vars and down towards the climb up to the col du Cayolle. The road is blocked to traffic but passable on a bike, my knee has felt ok on the flats and easy climbs but flares up quickly as soon as I have to oush on it on steeper climbs so I take a map and the van and head off looking for a route around to meet the guys on the other side. I'm surprised at how many ski resorts there are in the surrounding mountains, the peaks here are at around 2700m and the winters must suffer from the effects of climate change although the lifts look strangely new.

I hook up with the group at the other side of the col where we stop for lunch, this is climbing country and I can't help looking for lines in the limestone cliffs all around us.

After Lunch we begin the final 100km to Nice that is reputed to be all down hill. Feeling good after my rest I jump on the front and help lead the group through the amazing red rocked gorge that follows and onwards through rolling hills towards the sun.

speeding towards the beach on the last day!

The skyline drops and the heat rises as we power onwards at a constant 40+kmh covering the distance in quick time until the final climb up and over to look down on the city of Nice. The final climb is only 6km but it ruins my knee and I finally make it up pushing with one leg and one arm on the other knee.

We roll down to Nice and the sea where Mark is waiting in his summer gear and the evening beckons. Some of the guys are flying out straight away and have to begin packing away their bikes as soon as we arrive. the rest of us relax and prepare for the evening ahead but know we'll be back to the hotel and passed out in bed before most Niceards are even ready to begin their evening entertainments.

Its been an amazing trip, I learned a lot about riding my bike, spinning easier gears, riding as a group and pacing myself up big climbs. I'm now physched to get out on my bike over the next couple of months on the run up to the winter but first need to make sure that my knee is on the medn and so will take a few days of rest and recovery before I start working on my sprinting power. I've a sprint show down booked with Mark at the end of the month and I can almost hear him shaking in fear!

Practice, practice, practice. Practice and dedication that's what I need but family life is calling or more to the point, crawling all over me so I've got to go play with my girls on their new trampoline, Manon was 5 whilst I was away and we've loads to catch up on but I'll sneak out there and run a few laps whilst they're at school. Ruth is keen to get a bike now too so hopefully I'll soon have a new training partner, I'll just have to keep tightening her brakes so that she doesn't get too far ahead.

Winter is coming and there's many changes afoot in McNab Snowboarding, a constant whirlwind rollercoaster ride that takes me up and down some of the greatest rideable mountains in the world and keeps me busy from morning until night. A new web site is on the way and I've loads to get on with so I'm off for a play and then back to work but playing will definitely take priority as its got to be one of the finest things in life and I just happen to have made it my job!

Life is good, hope to see you out here soon,

all the best,

Neil.

Changing Seasons, Autmn is on its way!

Evening light on Aiguille du Tour

There's a definite change in the air this week, colder mornings and the leaves are starting to turn.

I finished my last Mont Blanc of the summer yesterday, a hard one from the Tete Rousse hut to the top and back in 13.5 hours!! Pretty slow going and very cold, -25C with the wind chill from the Vallot to the top. I was well wrapped up, my TNF Catalyst jacket finally came into its own after carrying it in my bag all summer.

I start my bike ride from Chamonix to Nice tomorrow, looking forward to it although I'm pretty tired physically from the summer Guiding. A change is as good as a rest though so hopefully I'll be ok. My VO2 count should be pretty good after all that altitude but I've not been out on my bike for about a week or more!

It's started snowing again up in the peaks and its cold enough that its staying around now. There's snow down to nearly the mid station of the Midi this morning and there's a definite chill in the air. This colder weather is good for the mountains and the Glaciers which have taken a real hammering this summer.

Moody skies over the Aiguille Rouge

I'll leave you with a few shots from the other day and now will start to think about the winter ahead. We have some great courses on the calendar and spaces are limited so I'll get to personally ride with everyone which I'm quite stoked about, I feel inspired about snowboarding this coming winter and am really looking forward to it.

I've never seen the Glaciers this dry before, Glacier de Tour.

Glacier de Tour from the Albert premier refuge.

In the mean time enjoy the photos (all taken on my Iphone) and take it easy!

Neil.

Nice climbing this morning!

I Guided our regular tour of the Petite Fourche from the Albert premier refuge over to Trient. The Glaciers are even drier than last week, I've never seen them like this in 20 years of being up in the mountains.

The Trient plateau is down to bare Ice which I've never seen before, its kind og interesting to see all the huge crevasses that we normally walk over on a thin layer of snow!

The Glacier run down from the Col du Passon is also totally down to the ice and once again the crevasses there are pretty impressive to see. There's some big holes up there, you could drive a double decker bus into some and it wouldn't hit the sides and you wouldn't see it hit the bottom either!!

Some very narrow and delicate snow bridges remain as the only way across some of these yawning voids, it pretty interesting up there at the moment!

On the way back from Trient instead of doing the regular Aiguille du Tour route which isn't looking too hot at the moment, very dry and not very appealing looking with lots of rock fall potential, I took on a new venture climbing the excellent ridge from the col du Tour up to the Tete Blanche, my team were quite strong and so we took the final steep headwall which offered some excellent easy rock climbing in a very atmospheric setting. Great fun!

Tomorrow I head up to the Tete Rousse, for the last time this season, for my last Mont Blanc of the summer (although I had too e-mails today on my way down, for two more ascents before the end of the month). Of course I'll be busy out on the bike next week and then it time to catch up with planning the winter activities.

A few people have been asking about a Greenland trip, I've not planned anything for this year but 2011 will be a definite for Greenland so if you're interested let us know.

Tech clinics and Off piste clinics are looking very popular this winter, its great to see riders taking interest in their personal improvement and I'm looking forwards to these weeks myself. Its always good to get stuck in and see people improve, very inspiring!

I'm going to take Christmas off but am getting bookings for Private instruction/guiding around New Year and early Jan. If you need dates for availability for Private sessions get in touch with Mel as she's in charge of my calendar, I just do what I'm told!

Jeff or (Jazzy) as he likes to be known has put together a video (as he has far too much time on his hands these days) from one of the BC courses a couple of years ago. Check it out!

McNab BCI & BCF March 2006 from Jeff Swindles on Vimeo.

Right, might sneak out on the bike for a quick spin.

Hope all is well back in the real world.

Neil.

And another!

Down this morning after a real fast trip up Mont Blanc via the Cosmiques three summits route which we did in 4 hours 20 mins from the early lift on the Aiguille du midi.

Perfect conditions once again and a fine finish to another great week in the mountains.

No rest for the wicked as they say so I must be well wicked as I'm off to meet new clients this evening and then back up amongst the peaks in the morning.

It's mine and Ruth's wedding anniversary today so we're taking a rare evening out, I didn't sleep so much up at the Gouter where it sounded like everyone was eating crisps all night or at least playing with crisp packets so hope i don't fall asleepin my dinner!

Made it down from the Gouter to the Nid Aigle train in 2 and a half hours which is also pretty quick

Mel is away on holiday in Florida and from her text messages is having a good time. She's checking mail and answer messages so you should get news from her if you send her an e-mail. She has a new I-phone which she keeps raving on about. I got one too but of course being a techno phobe I probably only use about 1% of its capacity.

One more week to go and then the big bike ride! Not getting out training much because of work but my red blood cell count and VO2 should be pretty good!

The mountains are pretty dry still although it snowed a bit last week and its cold up there so its staying around. My fellow Guide Andreas who was working with me and did Mont Blanc this morning by the regular Gouter route says it was so cold his glasses frame cracked this morning!

I'm packing big gloves and a duvet!

More news soon,

Neil.

Another succesful Mont Blanc assault!

Just down this morning from another successful Mont Blanc assault!

After a great warm up and acclimatization period at the La Tour/Trient end of the valley we took on Mont Blanc by the three summits or Cosmiques route from the first lift up the midi on Tuesday morning.

After a week away in Scotland, I was surprised to see how much the snow has melted back off the glaciers whilst I've been away.

Up at La Tour the glacier there is drier than I've ever seen it, normally the upper half of the glacier is still covered in snow, in fact I've never seen it not covered so it was pretty amazing to see it predominantly dry (down to the ice layer) for the most part. The usual route up and through the col superior du tour, which access's the Trient Glacier is almost impassable now, the steep snow slope is now pretty much all ice.

We headed over to Trient via the peak of the Petite Fourche and the usual abseil down into Switzerland. The Trient Glacier was also amazingly low on snow and some of the biggest deepest crevasses where lurking under the weakest of snow bridges just waiting for the unaware.

Coming back over to France via the Aiguille du Tour we headed around and through the Col du Tour instead of the usual col superior du Tour. the col du Tour was the original route through but over recent years the receding Glacier made it almost impassable. At the moment however, this has once again become the way to go so as to avoid the icy slopes on the Col superior. The Col du Tour needs some careful route negotiation and some interesting rock scrambling to reach the glacier over the other side. It's amazing to think that not so long ago you could simply walk of the glacier onto the rocky col and similarly walk off the other side!

The Alps have suffered greatly this summer with the hot weather and unfortunately the affects are irreversible. Some of the routes that used to be classic snow and ice lines are simply becoming history before our very eyes!

Global warming has never been so evident over here with one extreme after another! Today we put on crampons to climb down from the Gouter refuge after a major snowstorm that raged through out the night covered the normally dry and rocky descent between the Gouter refuge and the Tete rousse.

After a perfect warm up part of the week the forecast for storms yesterday afternoon, gave us only one option to get to the summit, that being a quick push up and over from the first lift up the midi. We made the top in about 6 hours just as the weather was beginning to turn. I stood on the summit watching high speed wind clouds race over my head as the storm built up strength over on the South side. It was pretty atmospheric and, perhaps unsurprisingly, we had the mountain to our selves. All three of our guided teams made it over and down to the Gouter before the storm so a successful trip.

Both the Cosmiques and Gouter routes up Mont Blanc were in surprisingly good condition. I have another 6 day Mont Blanc course starting tomorrow evening, no rest for the wicked but I guess it keeps me fit and in terms of an office job its not so bad!

Plus Sir Chris Bonnington (who awarded me my medal of Bravery at the Kendal film festival) was on the hill with fellow Guide Dave Cumming, who some of you will have met on winter McNab courses. We were in the presence of Royalty and it was great to see him out on the mountain, a great ambassador for British mountaineering.

All is good out here, lots of interest in the winter courses, I hope we can fit you all in.

Neil.