Saturday 5 July 2008

The Alps was an area I had never considered to go walking/climbing, not sure why, but never seemed to appeal. Anyway, as my Everest North Col (Tibet) trip in April was cancelled, I decided I needed to get into some snowy mountains.  So, I booked on a trip with KE Adventure and spent a week based in the Chamonix valley training for an ascent of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.

 My first thought on the Alps driving up the Chamonix valley was rather impressive.  Huge peaks rising into the sky, many covered with snow ………….. and at that time many covered with clouds!  Yes, the week was beginning to look very exciting.  Just over an hour after leaving Geneva airport, my transfer minibus was driving through Chamonix, a rather ‘touristy’ looking place, on the way to Yeti Lodge in Argentière, the course base for the week.  Rather smart place too, a large apartment sleeping 7, with full catering provided each day …….. and a new Jacuzzi for chilling out after an hard day in the hills!  By early evening, the remainder of the group had arrived, and our guide for the week, Paul, arrived at 7pm for the coming week’s briefing.  After the briefing, we sat down for our first group meal and got to know each other.  The group consisted of Me (from UK), Venki (my room mate from USA), Shari (from Australia), Adrian (from London), Gordon (from Brussels), Donat (Irish, but living in Brussels; think the name spelling is correct!) and Yuri (from Russia).

(click on a thumbnail to open a larger version in a new window)

Our lounge at Yeti Lodge

The view down the valley from the lodge

Sunset on Aiguille du Midi from the lodge

Zooming in on Aiguille du Midi