Tuesday 26 August 2008

Rain stops play

6 hours walking for 2 pitches of climbing... not a great ratio...

On Sunday, I fought the crowds on the Montenvers train and down the ladders onto the Mer de Glace:



3 sweaty hours later I met up with Ross, Dan and Ev who had come up the day before and had been enjoying the awesome granite climbing up on the Pointe des Nantillons. Not wanting to spend €50 a night on the hut we were using the cheaper option of bivvying, and there can't be many finer spots. One view from the bivvy site (Dru & Aiguille Verte in background):



Unfortunately despite a good, dry forecast for the next day 2 pitches up the route a light drizzle began to fall. Not a problem with the great friction of the granite, but as the rain gave way to hail/sleet things definitely were getting too slippery. 2 quick abseils saw us back at our gear, and with the others running out of food no option but to head back down the valley... Oh well, better luck next time...

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