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  2. the Alps

Alps 2010 & 2011

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  • Lower part of the Ried Glacier. On the way to the Bordier Hut, which lies high on the far side of the glacier. 5.40pm, 15/07/10

    Lower part of the Ried Glacier. On the way to the Bordier Hut, which lies high on the far side of the glacier. 5.40pm, 15/07/10

  • Crossing the Ried Glacier. On a warm afternoon the surface should be soft and gritty enough not to require the use of crampons. 6.20pm, 15/07/10

    Crossing the Ried Glacier. On a warm afternoon the surface should be soft and gritty enough not to require the use of crampons. 6.20pm, 15/07/10

  • Nadelhorn, Stecknadelhorn, and Hohberghorn. 5.55am, 16/07/10

    Nadelhorn, Stecknadelhorn, and Hohberghorn. 5.55am, 16/07/10

  • Weisshorn and Bishorn. This and the previous were taken on the way up the Grosser Bigerhorn from the Bordier Hut. 6.05am, 16/07/10

    Weisshorn and Bishorn. This and the previous were taken on the way up the Grosser Bigerhorn from the Bordier Hut. 6.05am, 16/07/10

  • Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn, and Weissmies from the Bigerhorn. 7.10am, 16/07/10

    Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn, and Weissmies from the Bigerhorn. 7.10am, 16/07/10

  • On the Grosser Bigerhorn. 7.45am, 16/07/10

    On the Grosser Bigerhorn. 7.45am, 16/07/10

  • On the north top of the Balfrin. 8.25am, 16/07/10

    On the north top of the Balfrin. 8.25am, 16/07/10

  • The south top of the Balfrin. 9.30am, 16/07/10

    The south top of the Balfrin. 9.30am, 16/07/10

  • Bordier Hut, with a view across the Rhône valley to the Oberland. 7.40am, 17/07/10

    Bordier Hut, with a view across the Rhône valley to the Oberland. 7.40am, 17/07/10

  • Path down from the Bordier Hut. 8.10am, 17/07/10

    Path down from the Bordier Hut. 8.10am, 17/07/10

  • Back across the Ried glacier. Much icier in the morning. 8.30am, 17/07/10

    Back across the Ried glacier. Much icier in the morning. 8.30am, 17/07/10

  • On the way from Kreuzboden to the Weissmies Huts. 11.25am, 20/07/10

    On the way from Kreuzboden to the Weissmies Huts. 11.25am, 20/07/10

  • On the Lagginhorn WSW ridge. This gives a wholly misleading impression of the WSW ridge (PD). This slab, maybe 15m high, is riven by cracks and ledges and is a fairly simple scramble, though some parties do rope up for it. The rest of the ridge is a rather dull affair of boulder and rubble, the upper parts covered, if you are lucky, by snow. 7.15am, 21/07/10

    On the Lagginhorn WSW ridge. This gives a wholly misleading impression of the WSW ridge (PD). This slab, maybe 15m high, is riven by cracks and ledges and is a fairly simple scramble, though some parties do rope up for it. The rest of the ridge is a rather dull affair of boulder and rubble, the upper parts covered, if you are lucky, by snow. 7.15am, 21/07/10

  • The SW ridge of the Fletschhorn. 8.00am, 21/07/10

    The SW ridge of the Fletschhorn. 8.00am, 21/07/10

  • Getting there. c3750m on the Lagginhorn. Sonya had never been to 4000m before, but she loves a challenge. 8.30am, 21/07/10

    Getting there. c3750m on the Lagginhorn. Sonya had never been to 4000m before, but she loves a challenge. 8.30am, 21/07/10

  • Descending the Lagginhorn. 9.20am, 21/07/10

    Descending the Lagginhorn. 9.20am, 21/07/10

  • Descending the Lagginhorn. 11.35am, 21/07/10

    Descending the Lagginhorn. 11.35am, 21/07/10

  • Back to the Weissmies Huts. 12.45pm, 21/07/10

    Back to the Weissmies Huts. 12.45pm, 21/07/10

  • The campsite at Pont.

    The campsite at Pont.

  • The campsite at Pont, at the head of the Valsavarenche. 4.25pm, 25/07/10

    The campsite at Pont, at the head of the Valsavarenche. 4.25pm, 25/07/10

  • The Croix de l'Arolley. At 2310m on the west side of the Valsavarenche, with the Gran Paradiso in the background. 11.25am, 26/07/10

    The Croix de l'Arolley. At 2310m on the west side of the Valsavarenche, with the Gran Paradiso in the background. 11.25am, 26/07/10

  • At one time, about 40 years ago I think, there was a serious proposal to construct a motor road through from Pont to Nivolet, thus linking the head of Valsavarenche with the head of the Valle dell' Orco. The first few kilometres from Pont, including a 200m tunnel, were built, but after the excavation of this second tunnel, which exits on to a boulder slope, either the money or the political will ran out, and the road goes no further. 3.30pm, 26/07/10

    At one time, about 40 years ago I think, there was a serious proposal to construct a motor road through from Pont to Nivolet, thus linking the head of Valsavarenche with the head of the Valle dell' Orco. The first few kilometres from Pont, including a 200m tunnel, were built, but after the excavation of this second tunnel, which exits on to a boulder slope, either the money or the political will ran out, and the road goes no further. 3.30pm, 26/07/10

  • Pont. 4pm, 26/07/10

    Pont. 4pm, 26/07/10

  • On the way up to the hut, whence to the Gran Paradiso. Ciarforon, Becca di Monciair, Denti di Broglio. 12.40pm, 27/07/10

    On the way up to the hut, whence to the Gran Paradiso. Ciarforon, Becca di Monciair, Denti di Broglio. 12.40pm, 27/07/10

  • Approaching the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II. 1.30pm, 27/07/10

    Approaching the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II. 1.30pm, 27/07/10

  • At around 3200m on the Gran Paradiso the rubble ends and the snow begins, crampons come out and, for most, the rope. 6am, 28/07/10

    At around 3200m on the Gran Paradiso the rubble ends and the snow begins, crampons come out and, for most, the rope. 6am, 28/07/10

  • Dawn breaking on the French Alps. 6.15am, 28/07/10

    Dawn breaking on the French Alps. 6.15am, 28/07/10

  • Monte Bianco with its characteristic bonnet, seen above the Bouila ridge. 7am, 28/07/10

    Monte Bianco with its characteristic bonnet, seen above the Bouila ridge. 7am, 28/07/10

  • Facing west, the normal route up the Paradiso doesn't see much sun until well on in the morning. It is a cold ascent, but at least the snow should remain in reasonable condition until mid-day or so. 8am, 28/07/10

    Facing west, the normal route up the Paradiso doesn't see much sun until well on in the morning. It is a cold ascent, but at least the snow should remain in reasonable condition until mid-day or so. 8am, 28/07/10

  • After the long snow plod, crampons are shed for the final rocky scramble to the summit. 9.10am, 28/07/10

    After the long snow plod, crampons are shed for the final rocky scramble to the summit. 9.10am, 28/07/10

  • The scramble is perfectly simple, or at least it would be if it weren't for the roped parties, mostly guided, who insist on pitching it. 9.15am, 28/07/10

    The scramble is perfectly simple, or at least it would be if it weren't for the roped parties, mostly guided, who insist on pitching it. 9.15am, 28/07/10

  • The Madonna. 9.20am, 28/07/10

    The Madonna. 9.20am, 28/07/10

  • La Grivola ('the Maiden' in Occitan, or Langue d'oc), 3969m, lies 8 or 9km almost due north of the Paradiso. The great bulk of the Grand Combin is to the right, with Mont Dolent and its neighbours to the left. In the foreground is the complex ridge running from the Herbetet. 9.25am, 28/07/10

    La Grivola ('the Maiden' in Occitan, or Langue d'oc), 3969m, lies 8 or 9km almost due north of the Paradiso. The great bulk of the Grand Combin is to the right, with Mont Dolent and its neighbours to the left. In the foreground is the complex ridge running from the Herbetet. 9.25am, 28/07/10

  • Crest of the Paradiso. Gran Paradiso is a lovely mountain with wonderful views, but enjoyment of the normal route is compromised by its popularity. As the only 4000m peak entirely in Italy, it is one which every red-blooded Italian feels compelled to climb at least once in a lifetime, and a fine summer day will see a substantial number of them trudging up from the Emanuele. The alternative western approach from the Chabod hut, slightly longer and crossing the more hazardous Laveciau glacier, is much quieter - until it joins the voie normale at around 3500m. 9.30am, 28/07/10

    Crest of the Paradiso. Gran Paradiso is a lovely mountain with wonderful views, but enjoyment of the normal route is compromised by its popularity. As the only 4000m peak entirely in Italy, it is one which every red-blooded Italian feels compelled to climb at least once in a lifetime, and a fine summer day will see a substantial number of them trudging up from the Emanuele. The alternative western approach from the Chabod hut, slightly longer and crossing the more hazardous Laveciau glacier, is much quieter - until it joins the voie normale at around 3500m. 9.30am, 28/07/10

  • In descent. 10.15, 28/07/10

    In descent. 10.15, 28/07/10

  • Snow still good and firm. 10.15am, 28/07/10

    Snow still good and firm. 10.15am, 28/07/10

  • Back to the Emanuele. 12.30pm, 28/07/10

    Back to the Emanuele. 12.30pm, 28/07/10

  • Le Petit Dru from Camping Mer de Glace. We had just arrived at the campsite and were queuing at the reception, when the cloud began to break up. 2.45pm, 29/08/10

    Le Petit Dru from Camping Mer de Glace. We had just arrived at the campsite and were queuing at the reception, when the cloud began to break up. 2.45pm, 29/08/10

  • Glacier des Bossons, from the Aiguilles Rouges. From the vicinity of the Col de la Glière. 1.25pm, 30/08/10

    Glacier des Bossons, from the Aiguilles Rouges. From the vicinity of the Col de la Glière. 1.25pm, 30/08/10

  • Mont Blanc from across the Chamonix valley. 2.15pm, 30/08/10

    Mont Blanc from across the Chamonix valley. 2.15pm, 30/08/10

  • A glimpse of the Grandes Jorasses. 2.30pm, 30/08/10

    A glimpse of the Grandes Jorasses. 2.30pm, 30/08/10

  • Chamonix 9.10pm, 30/07/10

    Chamonix 9.10pm, 30/07/10

  • Sunrise on the Écrins, from some way up the Dent Parrachée in the Vanoise. 5.30am, 11 August 2011

    Sunrise on the Écrins, from some way up the Dent Parrachée in the Vanoise. 5.30am, 11 August 2011

  • On the shattered west ridge of the Parrachée. 8.30am, 11 August 2011

    On the shattered west ridge of the Parrachée. 8.30am, 11 August 2011

  • The Dent Parrachée is a fine mountain, but best climbed when there is a decent covering of good snow. The guidebook calls the screes raide et pénible, and that's being polite. 10.30am, 11 August 2011

    The Dent Parrachée is a fine mountain, but best climbed when there is a decent covering of good snow. The guidebook calls the screes raide et pénible, and that's being polite. 10.30am, 11 August 2011

  • Summer snow on the Grande Casse. 1.45pm, 31/07/11

    Summer snow on the Grande Casse. 1.45pm, 31/07/11

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    The Croix de l'Arolley. At 2310m on the west side of the Valsavarenche, with the Gran Paradiso in the background. 11.25am, 26/07/10
    At one time, about 40 years ago I think, there was a serious proposal to construct a motor road through from Pont to Nivolet, thus linking the head of Valsavarenche with the head of the Valle dell' Orco. The first few kilometres from Pont, including a 200m tunnel, were built, but after the excavation of this second tunnel, which exits on to a boulder slope, either the money or the political will ran out, and the road goes no further. 3.30pm, 26/07/10
    Pont. 4pm, 26/07/10