More Zermatt on Day #10

Wow ... It doesn't get much better. Frank and William skied piste. Edward, Carter, and I headed up the Breithorn and with my knee hurting I turned back after about 45 minutes to go easy on the piste. We all met at 2 PM in Breuil for lunch then the ski back to Switzerland. My first time on the Italian side of the Matterhorn.

Dear Lucy

It was a spectacular day. We skied into Italy (in the movie it was called Broli in the Disney movie but in real life it is ). The picture of the mountain is the italian side if the Matterhorn, not Rudy's side of the mountain. Hope you are having fun. Love dad

Zermatt Day #10

A spectacular day it is. We met up with the Kenney clan last night at the North Wall Bar; where else! It seems that the Matterhorn attempt may be scuttled with almost two feet of snow in the last four days the rock climbing can't be too good. Maybe skin over and climb Castor today?

Good Weather Forecast For Zermatt

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Climber's Cemetery In Zermatt

What can you say ... a moving tribute by families and friends as well as a cautionary note for all who love the sport.

Zermatt Day #9

Of course I would have posted a picture of the Matterhorn, however it is snowing lightly and the clouds are down at about 9,000 feet. We got in after lunch and have sampled some Swiss chocolate, bought a canister for the MSR stove, gone to the museum, church, and the climbers cemetery. Oh, and we fondled the entire Dynafit rando race package ... Skis, boots, bindings are absurdly light and only set you back about $4,000!

Heading to the Matterhorn

The Union College guys gather in the Hotel Couronne bar. The hotel has a small but fine collection of alpine art, depicting the scenery around Argentiere. And of course, one can not help but marvel at the European train system: ecological, clean, timely, bright, airy, and comfortable.

While I am in Chamonix ...

Lucy, Sel, Alex, and Joanne are doing their traditional Florida trip. Lucy had a great time at the Space Center.

More Chamonix Day #8

So, Larry can you pick out the Index and Gliere ... Fond memories.

Chamonix Day #8

A deep cloud settled over the Arve valley but brilliant sun above 9000'. Everyone enjoyed their day and it was the usual mixed bag. Unfortunately, Murph sat this one out and Stegs grabbed his skis and was back in the fray. The guide took the Union guys over a couple of cols in the Aiguille Rouges. Carter and I headed to a tour up the Col Belvedere and I crapped out after an hour as my knee hurt. (Skied the groomers in the sun all day on the Index chair.) The Kenney boys have just finished a big day over the Pigne d'Arolla.

Superb views all day: north and west faces of the Dru, the Walker Spur, the Shroud, South Face of the Geant, Frendo Spur, Nant Blanc face of the Verte, and of course many of the ridges on Mount Blanc ... So much alpine history!

The Boys Are All Together

Telling stories, drinking, and eating pizza ... What a great trip so far!

Chamonix Day #7

We had hoped to tour up to Col du Tour however only made it to the Argentiere hut. Through a break in the clouds I got a momentary look at the North Face of Les Droites.

A good day never the less ... Low visibility, breaking trail in a foot of fresh snow, lots of vertical, some big holes ... But my right knee - the one scoped after Peru - was hurting really badly. I did well skinning up and skiing down on the glacier however I could barely make it down the final piste.

Know a good knee doc?

Chamonix Day #6

The weather continues to be unsettled, and we left the hut early to get the first tram down. The visibility increased to about 500 m, and the wind slackened to about 25-30 mph. We are heading to a dorm in Argentiere, but not before a steak-frites-fries sandwich at our favorite joint.

Tomorrow we are doing the classic tour to the col du Tour Noire.

Fantastic Day

By the time we had skis on the Mer de Glacé it was beautiful. The guys were snapping pictures of Mount Blanc, jorasses, the Geant, as well the south face of the Midi. Just what the doctor ordered for the Union College crew ... An awesome mouton run with great snow.

Carter enjoyed a nice run down to the rognon, and then we skinned up a thousand feet to the Cosmique hut. We climbed a couple of pitches and then had an awesome meal at the Refugio.

A Few More Day Four

Chamonix Day #5

Sitting out bad weather in the Cosmique Hut ... sleep, tea, read, swap stories, sleep, eat, wine, sleep ... not so bad.

Chamonix Day #4

Heading up to the Aiguille Du Midi.

Chamonix Day #3

Overcast, blustery, and chilly in town and full on conditions up on the hill. The Grand Montets lift was closed committing us to skinning up from Lognon. Carter and I left early only to turn back after a guided party called it a day. We skied back down to Lognon to eat lunch only to se Dick, Murph, Dave, Harry, and Stegs go by with their guide. Well after spotting them a 30 minute lead we gave chase, the guide turned them around a 4:00 pm and we headed down as well. Here we are eating dinner at La Doha.

Heading to Argentiere Hut

Heading out to catch the first tram to Grand Montets. Looks to be cloudy and cold today, unlike the picture I cut and pasted.

More about day two

I was waiting for a bus back to Chamonix and so short changed the commentary on the previous posting.

The second picture is the upper third of the North Face of the Drus. This is one of the six classic north faces of the Alps. The last picture has Carter taking a break from a challenging tele descent. The peak in the background is the Aiguille du Chardonnet. I climbed it in 1976 (North Spur) with my South African friend Richard.

We actually worked harder than we wanted to on this first day in the Alps.

Chamonix Day #2

A longer day than we planned, a late start, and s long wait for the Grand Montets tram. Dick, Dave, Murph, Stegs, and Harry went to the top and then skied piste. Carter and I put on the rope and crampons and got to within 75 meters of the summit of the Petite Aguille Verte. Normally it is mostly skinning but not today. We turned around at 3 pm as we had a 5000' descent, with the top being challenging with packs. Good day.