Alex Mitchell’s Post

Climbing some peaks this summer? Remember, climbing a 14er can be dangerous if you do not properly prepare. Keep these 14 tips in mind when climbing and hiking the fourteeners this summer! 1. Research the route and conditions. 2. Pack the 10 essentials and start early. 3. Be mindful of afternoon meltwater in streams. 4. Use trek poles for balance and stability. 5. Take fewer, longer breaks while hiking. 6. Stay on the trail; don't take shortcuts. 7. Camp a night nearby to acclimatize. 8. Watch out for altitude sickness symptoms. 9. Be down by 1pm before afternoon storms. 10. Watch for clouds building, wind shifts. 11. When scrambling, maintain 3 points of contact. 12. Look for cairns, but don't rely 100% on them. 13. Enjoy the summit views! 14. Don't forget your summit sign! Check out the full infographic and advice 👉 https://lnkd.in/gdaMmsM7 #Colorado14ers #Infographic #MountainSafety #BePrepared #LeaveNoTrace #TenEssentials #AltitudeSickness #ScrambleSafely

Off Piste Snow Report – N French Alps & surrounding areas – week starting 26th February 2024 Feeling more like winter again! A cooler week than recently, with some snowfall predicted for the N French Alps & surrounding areas, particularly along the mountains on the French side of the border with Italy. (Photo J. VACHER) Snowfall is predicted this week. As we keep saying,  if any significant fresh snowfall (20 cm or so) does happen this will make for a very worrying period of snow instability at higher altitudes (above 2300 m) on the colder N’ish facing slopes (see the feature photo courtesy of Julien Vacher from this past Friday & below for more info on this). This could be the case on Tuesday, especially for areas near the French/Italian border (e.g. Haute Maurienne resorts like Val Cénis and probably also affecting places like Val d’Isère – near the Italian border i.e. the Le Fornet side). Where is North? See my TOP TIP 'find North using shadows' vid in this wk's report! For more details see my web site > ‘Snow Reports’ or on this link: https://lnkd.in/eZi-3vtJ

Indian Rocks Beach Florida Weather: Your Ultimate Guide Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Indian Rocks Beach Florida weather. Whether you’re planning a vacation or considering a move to this picturesque location, understanding the local climate is crucial. Let’s dive into the details of weather in Indian Rocks Beach Florida. #Florida #IndianRocksBeach #Weather

Indian Rocks Beach Florida Weather: Your Ultimate Guide Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Indian Rocks Beach Florida weather. Whether you’re planning a vacation or considering a move to this picturesque location, understanding the local climate is crucial. Let’s dive into the details of weather in Indian Rocks Beach Florida. #Florida #IndianRocksBeach #Weather

It's been three weeks since I summited Grand Teton. I'm smiling in the photos but I have to say that it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Working through business and personal challenges have always come relatively easy to me, but using strength I don't have to pull myself up an icy rock wall, rock climbing in crampons, and needing an ice axe to set our climbing gear... was more than I've ever had to handle in a small space of time. My body dumped massive amounts of adrenaline into my system so I could get up one particular pitch. I was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane from the effects of the powerful chemicals in my blood stream and had to calm my body to continue the climb. Yet there was never a moment where I even thought about giving up. Something was driving me up to the summit despite that day being the worst conditions of the year. Yet at the top, there was no joy. Only the physical need to rest and eat, and prepare for the 7,000 feet of descent ahead of me. At least at the top there are no choices to be made about whether to continue or not - there's only one way down. One step in front of the other (well... and some rapelling which at least added in a bit of fun). I'm still processing this climb and what it all meant, but one thing is for sure - I now know I can do very, very hard things. The "view from the top" might not always be rainbows and sunshine, but the journey to get there is what really matters. #luxurytravel #luxurytravelinsider

🌦️🔍 #copernicus Seasonal forecasts are in! I always enjoy diving into them to get a sneak peek into what the next season might have in store for me. So, here's my self-centred take on the seasonal forecast predictions. 📊 🌪️ #storms As mentioned in my previous post about the NAO, it looks like storms will be sticking around through December. Brace yourselves for more Atlantic storms making their way to Spain, France, and the UK. The Multi-Model consistently predicts increased precipitation and stronger winds. Between storminess and potential French strikes, I might need to prepare for a challenging Christmas trip. The good news? Stormy conditions are likely to ease up come January. 🎄💨 🌡️ #cold spells: Winter is expected to be relatively warm over Western Europe. However, the warm anomaly seems to weaken for early spring. If I were a winegrower, I'd keep an eye out for late cold spells. 🍇❄️ ❄️ #snow This one's a puzzle. More winter storms could mean more snow, but warmer temperatures suggest less of it. It's a tough call. I'm not holding my breath for a stellar skiing season in the eastern Pyrenees, but maybe the western Pyrenees will have better luck. ⛷️🏔️ In the words of an old adage, "Forewarned is forearmed." As we anticipate the season's twists and turns, preparedness becomes our anchor. 🌟 Feel free to get in touch if you'd like more insights or specific information about a particular region. #SeasonalForecast #WeatherWisdom Ref: https://lnkd.in/eB9CkyGk

Climbing a winter 14er is FAR different from summer. These peaks are dangerous places when the snow starts to pile up, with avalanches, hypothermia and frostbite, slips and falls, and other hazards to address. Here's a quick seasonal comparison: https://zurl.co/aZpC #14ers

Happy first day of meteorological autumn! Although I see summer is dropping by for a brief visit next week. Perhaps it forgot something… I’m an autumn lover though, particularly for hiking, which I love to do. Hiking in the summer for me is stinky sunscreen (despite the lack of sun) and stickiness, getting nettled fighting a path through overgrowth, fending off nipping midges, and taking long, impractical detours to avoid cows. None of which I’m a fan of. So I probably hibernate more in the summer! It’s therefore been a great few months from a business perspective as I’ve had time to iron out some niggles since pivoting my business, figure out and focus on where I want to go next, and get the support I need to be able to. So bring on chilly walks, nettle-free paths, soil-migrating midges, cows safely in their barns for the winter, and sitting at my desk under a blanket wearing 5 layers of clothing while nursing a hot water bottle. Have you had a productive 'summer' (school holidays aside for some I appreciate), or do you find yourself more productive during the other seasons? #autumnvibes #businessstrategy #entrepreneurlife #businessplanning

It's a big beautiful world out there! And what a shock it is when you realize you're unprepared... and without coffee. It occurred to me this snowy morning when the electricity went out at 1 am, that we may not have been good Scouts. We are in a new (to us) house, well off the highway halfway up a mountain with not many people around. We were able to get in through 15" of snow two days ago, but now there is significantly more on the ground and with the storm continuing to rage on, the likelihood of the mountain roads being drivable are slim to none. The truth is, we haven't been good Scouts (hello - where is the camping coffee??) and we need to do better. The flip side of that is that there are two of us here to think about ways we can make the best of the situation. We have our fireplace to keep at least part of the house warm, and with a little intermittent electricity I was able to make coffee (thank goodness), get some water into carafes for drinking and dig out the backup "stove" we use when backpacking. We have our camping water filter so we can melt snow and know we have clean drinking water. We have ramen so we won't go hungry. Had we planned ahead, there are a few small things we could have done to be more prepared for such an event and not felt the scramble of being behind the curve. My professional work forces me think from a risk perspective, but I am an optimist by nature. I believe in the power of positivity, good karma and my Higher Power who wants the very best for me, though I recognize that helping myself never hurts 😆 Looking out the same window this snowy morning and remembering what happened two years ago is a keen reminder to me that my attitude and perspectives shape how I view events. And I am incredibly thankful that the generator is going in this month!! #whenlifegoesalittlesideways #gratitude #powerofpositivity

Give yourself a warm winter retreat this season by properly winterizing your home. Check out these 5 simple steps by Renewal by Andersen to keep out the cold. #RenewalbyAndersen #WindowReplacement