Rock
The last 2 days have been enjoying some local rock on both sides of the Chamonix valley. Yesterday Kevin and I did the Frison Roche route on the S Face of the Aiguille Brevent. Slightly dubious rock, but very well protected with bolts, lead to a great finale up a classic corner pitch. It felt a bit like a day on a Welsh mountain crag with swirling mist and Ravens. As the clouds came and went we got some amazing views of the range across the way…sometimes you see more of something when you’re not amongst it.
The clouds were our companions to start today…so much so we nearly went somewhere else. As we got out the Midi lift there was a little rime on the rocks around the Passerelle bridge and a bitter North wind froze our ears as we dropped down to the col du Midi. We located the foot of the Midi South face and swapped crampons for rock shoes then set off up the classic Baquet/Rebuffat. I hadn’t climbed this since 1991 so was possibly the most psyched of the team. After the crux the sun came out and stayed as we followed a French team all the way to the summit piton and abseiled onto the tourist balcony. We stopped for a brew at the Plan de L’Aiguille on the way down. Met Cristophe Profit again…this time got his autograph and had a great chat about climbing. Made up!
