Dear Rupert,

With the winter season rapidly approaching and the weather becoming inclement, I wondered what advice you had for maintaining the appearnace of being a climber without having to go out in the wet. I would like to avoid spending all winter in a cafe waiting for spring (although that would be nice).

Anon  of  Hertford

Dear Anon,

When the rain sets in it can be a disheartening time for the fair weather climber., and unfortunately most people tend to choose hill walking as an alternative during this period. Spending all day slogging up a mountain and piss wet through may not be your cup of tea but there is much to be said for it (surely not much! -ed) , basically it's hibernation time.


R.

I received an email from Phil Whitehurst a few weeks ago inquiring about my health - I think more to the point there was an interest in how the Ex HMC chairman was enjoying his 'retirement' in the French Alps, and would I write a short article for CRUX. ''It may generate business from members'' he said somewhat unconvincingly.

Having made the decision 2 years ago to leave my 'day job' - commuting to London and Leeds and growing frustration with the M25, I am now regularly asked if the decision was the right one. Its easy for the casual observer to assume life is one long adventure - skiing from early December to late April, a short inter-season in May and then the multitude of summer mountain activities from June until September. The experienced observer will know that to enjoy these activities require an income, and like 99.99% of the UK population I have not been fortunate with the lottery - mainly because I don't play and secondly my pension funds are 'locked in' for another 10 years - I think therefore that I am resigned to working for a few more years, and why not find employment in an environment I enjoy?

Although experienced in the catering and hospitality business, I was somewhat green in my knowledge of the ski industry, and therefore to prepare for the eventual purchase of a ski chalet - my ultimate objective, I decided to work a season for a ski company. Having been recommended to apply to Ski Scott Dunn I approached the interview with trepidation. An up-market operator with quality chalets in Courchevel 1850, Meribel, Val d'Isere and Zermatt were advertising for a General Manager. Would I fit in and be able to manage 25 work shy Sloane's, communicate effectively and fluently in French, and more importantly keep up the pace of the youngsters? I had just turned 40 and all the staff were in their early 20's - keep those thoughts to yourselves!

The job with Ski Scott Dunn provided the experience that has now proved indispensable in my first season at 'La Source', but as I recall from an article written by Chairman Sillwood a couple of years ago with reference to my decision to drop out of main- stream employment and become a 'ski bum', there was not the glamour, excitement or guaranteed nightly bonking assumed in his article or more recent TV programs. Maybe I just failed to find it! How was it for you - the skiing was good and that's about it!

I bought 'La Source' earlier this year. A 200-year-old renovated barn in a small alpine village linked to Alpe d'Huez. With accommodation for 12 guests in 6 twin rooms and a spacious 2-bed apartment for myself, the chalet is ideal for the serious skier and outdoor enthusiast. I was attracted to its commanding position overlooking the Ecrins National Park - peaks rising to 4000 meters with permanent glaciers. The village itself is idyllic - rural and peaceful and away from the unsightly concrete of the modern ski resort, but at the same time linked efficiently to the vast ski domain of Alpe d'Huez - all 220 kms of pistes with fantastic off-piste opportunities.

In the winter I employ 2 staff to manage the house providing the cooking and general housekeeping duties. I provide the transfers from Geneva, arrange ski lessons and the general administration of ski hire, passes and give guests an introductory ski tour of the area - can last all week with the right guests! In the summer the chalet is open on a more informal basis, and single-handed I provide bed and breakfast which has proved successful for the walkers, cyclists and more serious mountaineers who flock to the area in July and August.

Always keen to know what 'Balders' is up to, there has been a steady stream of HMC members to the chalet - both winter and summer. Your chairman inquired if he could pitch his tent on the lawn until I casually mentioned the 700-meter overhanging drop to the valley below. He has not been seen - maybe it was the £20.00 bed and breakfast charge