Friday 11 July 2008

And 2am wasn’t long coming around, having slept a little in between listening to the howling wind.  Breakfast was a quick affair, and then the struggle amongst the crowd getting kitted up for the off.  I was teamed up with Yuri, with Yuki as our guide (I think that’s how his name goes!), a really nice Swedish guy.  It was still very windy outside, but exceptionally clear with stunning views down to the valley lights far below, as we passed along the ridge leading over Aiguille du Goûter summit.  However, as we start up the long steep zigzag route to the Dome du Goûter, we entered clouds and the wind strength intensified.  We eventually reached the Vallot Refuge at 4362 metres, a sparse steel structure, and took shelter to wait for more light to assess the conditions.  Our guide decided we would go a little further up towards the Bosses ridge, but not long after he took the decision to turn back.  The weather wasn’t good, and the forecast was for it to worsen, making it dangerous to cross the ridge, a very narrow ice path with steep drops either side.  Even if we had got across, the return could have been impossible and there is no other non-technical way down.   So, in the harsh wind and clouds, we slogged our way down the snow and ice back to return to the Goûter Refuge.  The sky actually open for a short while on the lower slopes of Dome du Goûter, but sadly my camera was in the rucksack, so no final summit bid pictures.  We had a break at the Refuge, and then started the long scramble down to the Tête Rousse glacier.  Slightly more difficult going down though, an accumulation of snow and ice overnight meant we had to scramble down in crampons ………. not much fun!  Once across the Grand Couloir and Tête Rousse glacier, it was off rope, harness and crampons, a drink and snack, then continued down to the train station.  The weather had improved on the lower slopes, but not too far from the station the heavens opened up, convincing me to rush the last few yards to keep dry.  What a day, I thought, as we squeezed into the waiting room for, as it turned out, the long wait for a train.  Eventually one arrived, but what a scramble for a place.  Worse than the London subway at Friday evening rush hour!  Yuri, Shari, Yuki and I managed to get on the train, and not long after we were enjoying a beer at the cable car bar, waiting for the remainder of the group.  Once they all arrived, we made our way down to Le Tour and our transport back to Agentière.

Although we never made Mont Blanc summit, we were all in agreement that the week had been excellent.  The little downer I suppose was for Gordon and Donat, they had done the same trip last year and never even got an attempt at the summit, foul weather again!

So the week in the Alps was over and time to head home.  The weather had beaten us on the final day ………. however, we all survived, and the mountain will be there for another day.  Will I return? Not sure really, something else of interest may appear ……………… but time will tell.

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

Me at the Vallot refuge waiting to assess the weather conditions

One of our other teams descending to the Goûter refuge

Our despondent looking team having at to turn back

Mont Blanc is out there somewhere .....

Drink stop on the way down to Tête Rousse

And a final view back to the mountains before continuing down to the train station