Fossil Alpinism

A few days back we did the traverse of the Aiguille de Crochuses. An easy route (two pitches of IV-) with lots of exposed roped scrambling ...

Larry leading the 5.10+ pitch to the summit of the aguille de Gliere. After a long day he freed it with ease although he was anxious about ...

Even when you are flogging the tired body up and down the hills ... It is sure hard to shed pounds with offerings like this at the refugios...

Possibly the best alpine rock route I have ever done: beautiful solid gneiss. 14 pitches long. Fantastic views. Exposed. Three eagles soar...

A photo from our bivy last night ... Off to do the south ridge of the Gliere

The presence of a Crystal Museum and a spectacular rock shop in Chamonix reminded me that historically one of the four - off season - voca...

In the Maison de la Montagne, the the Corps de Guides there is a memorial to all the guides (since 1820) that have lost their life while w...

Both boon and plague for every mountain town from Chamonix to Lake Placid, and Zermatt to Squaw Valley, as well as Huaraz to Alta. It seem...

Mallory only got it partially correct ... Of course because it is there ... But more specifically because the chocolate, spicey meats, cak...

There are several statues in different public squares honoring Paccard, Balmat, and Saussare who are responsible for the early attempts to...

This was our first route, just hours after arriving in Chamonix. Despite the jet lag we passed several parties, only to be held up by a ca...

No doubt this place is the capital of alpinism and ski sports. It is amazing that it has taken me 30+ years for a return visit.

Larry tops out on the third summit in this short - two hour - traverse. Mostly a snow climb it finished with a 5.4 chimney done in crampon...

After a two hour approach - up and down several moraines - we arrive at the base of the six pitch route. The climbing was very varied, and ...

Larry is stemming one of the crux pitches - probably 5.7 or 5.8 - fantastic rock and views. (If truth be told, pretty hard going carrying ...

This is a photo of a famous Samivel cartoon. Sometimes it feels pretty crowded on the classic routes.

Here we are at the start of the south ridge (left hand sky line). These routes in the aiguille routes on the north side of the Arve Valley...

As the boys get ready for a short - but classic - rock route they stop for a shot of the Grand Jorssses and one of the six famous north fac...

The eperon cosmique had spectacular red granite and amazing handcracks! A bit of "French free" got us past the crux overhang. To...

This morning our route started near here with an amazing view of the Dru ... North face, American Direct, and the Bonatti Pillar!

The chapels occupy the best mountain views ... The south face of the Brevent.

This hostel sure beats the Biolay or Snell's field of the 1970s! Moreover, the beers at happy hour are only 1.5 euros.

This sure beats a tent on the glacier!

Who could imagine that two hours after landing Larry and Hock are strapping on crampons at 12,000 feet!

The Eperon Cosmique. A full six or seven pitches at 12,000'. It is graded 5.8 A0 ... Three moves in slings off of fixed gear. How do yo...

We found this 30+ year old sardine can at the base of the aiguille de L'M - with mustard sauce - so I am sure it was from Mark and Dann...

This morning we caught the tram to do a short - yet spectacular climb - up the left-hand skyline. If truth be told, I am starting to drag a...

JFK to Heathrow and on to Geneva and the shuttle bus - ChamExpress - to our campground.

Having finished the 2.5 hour trip to Albany the guys board Amtrak for NYC. (Larry is going to stitch up a rip in the tent on the train.)

It was all the rage for Obama, Clinton, and McCain to talk about who could answer the call at 3 AM. I don't know what those guys are doi...

I'll catch a few hours sleep and be up at 3:00 AM to do a few memos and finish packing. I am psyched!

We are approaching blast-off, and while it is raining now, a high pressure system is moving in tomorrow ... sunny weather for Wednesday-Satu...

Here is one of three great framed pictures I got for the fossil cabin.

We travel to Chamonix in less than 48 hours. The picture was taken this morning while I was third classing at Owl's Head. This week...

Jon and the family celebrating this milestone with gooey donuts.

Although it was a very snowy Spring, as you can see the weather in Chamonix continues to improve. (The picture is the off-loading ramp from ...

I was messing around at the Fossil Clubhouse, waiting for the sunset, when I poked through some crates and found this gem ... it brought bac...

Over three decades ago - too cheap to take the tram or train - Mark and I walked down the entire length of the glacier into Bar Nationale in...

Hock at the tiny stance at the top of an Owl's Head crack. In addition, there were 8 other laps to do in the 5.6 - 5.9 range ... Feeli...

I climbed 10 short moderate pitches (one on the lead), a short bouldering session, six modest aerobic workouts (30-40 minutes), and 40 minut...

Saturday morning and Lucy, Teresa, and Betsy get some quick exercise. Afterwards, Hock, Jon, and Lucy took off to see grandpa in New Hamps...

Hock leading 5.6 crack at Owl's Head.

Danny turns 59! Send him a congratulatory email (dhyde@ttusd.org). The rumor is that he is having a yard sale this weekend and selling his ...

Greg - friend of the fossils - has won a grant to study the alpine glaciers in the Sierras. The mules are being loaded on August 8th, and he...

Clun forest sheep - rare in the USA - they were Selden's 49th birthday present. They will keep the lawn nice and trim for the fossils to...

Hock setting up the TR at Owl's Head ... overkill as usual, his M.O. never changes.

The Chere colouir will probably be our warmup route in the Alps ... simply approach, short, and fixed rappels. (Clink on this link to view a...