A Tale of Two Halves – Chamonix 2015 Trip Report: Photo Gallery
Mark on the approach to Poeme a Lou, complete with handy fixed rope!
Debs getting us going on the first pitch in blistering heat
Mark sends the the “slab” pitch – a sustained technical wall on poor, tenuous holds
With a massive grin Debs follows the slab pitch and relishes the exposure
On the first pitch of the brilliant Lepidopteres with the crest of the Papillons Ridge above. Photo credit: Mark Reid
Lost in a sea of granite – the formidable Peigne Slabs on the left
After the first pitch the route follows a continuous crack in the slabs for another two superb rope lengths
One happy climber!
Mark in his element, levitating up pitch three
The tricky bit – mislead by the route description I headed up and left only to have to retreat back into the corner and continue direct. Photo credit: Mark Reid
The morning after the night before – not a bad view to wake up to! Photo credit: Mark Reid
The approach to the Red Pillar routes heads up the rock-filled depression then cuts up right to access the ledges. Photo credit: Mark Reid
The team ahead of us, halfway up the “scramble” to the ledges. Photo credit: Mark Reid
A serious place – the Red Pillar and West Face of the Aiguille de Blatiere (left) round to the Aiguille du Plan and North Face of the Aiguille des Pelerins. Photo credit: Mark Reid
Morning light in the Chamonix Aiguilles. Photo credit: Mark Reid
Great climbing on the first pitch of L’an d’Emile
Nothing too tricky but some “adequate” bolt spacing made this pitch quite exciting…. Photo credit: Mark Reid
The key to unlocking the crux sequence was to found at the third belay. Photo credit: Mark Reid
Wild moves on the steep third pitch – Mark doing the business
Beautiful light to enjoy on the retreat
Beating a hasty retreat, currently unsure of the damage to Mark’s knee
Symmetry – The Charmoz and Grepon are projected on to clouds between the L’M and Blatiere. Photo credit: Mark Reid
Climbers – experts in fashion and colour co-ordination
The Ecoles des Echelles area of the Montenvers Slabs
Debs cruising the first pitch of Aspirant Sunrise
A moody Mer de Glace
The Aiguille de L’Index emerges briefly from the clouds – spooky!
The Aiguille du Grepon (Left), Nantillons Glacier and Aiguille de Blatiere framed by the constantly shifting clouds
An alternative to the wet first pitch of Manhattan, still bloody freezing though
A bit higher up and the sun makes a welcome appearance – Debs on pitch two
Just past the exciting crux section of Manhattan
The brilliant fourth pitch heads up through the bulges and mini roofs above Debs
No set of photos from Chamonix is complete without one of the stunning Aiguille Verte and Aiguille du Dru – maybe next year!
