Pointe Lachenal

Today we decided to head back up onto the hill with the weather being so great, we were also joined by kat, she met us at our hotel at 0630 before heading around to the auguille du midi cable car station. Due to time limit we decided to make the short trip across the glacier to climb the "Traverse of the Pointes Lachenal". An easy chilled route with some amazing veiws of the east face of the tacul, walking across the glacier I was happy to bump into an old freind sandy allan, Sandy is a very accomplished mountaineer and a great guide, I was lucky to spend some time with him a few years ago where he taught me allot about the mountains. we talked for a short while before saying our goodbyes. After about 1hr and 15 minutes we all arrived safely at the summit of Pointe lachenal 3613m.

After taking a few photos we decided to push on, There was short abseil down the other side into the snow arete which lead to the final point of the traverse, due to time we decided to descent the steep snow face back down onto the vallee blanche, this was probably harder than it would have been if we would have continued over the next summit.

walking back across the glacier was pretty tough with the sun beating down on us, but we kept a steady pace and was soon fighting our way back up the midi ridge. Overall another good day in the mountains with good company...

Also the end of a good training trip for paul where I think he has done really well and certainly grown and improved in his own abillity and confidence in the mountains... well done mate.

Now time for a few drinks before heading back home to England.....

Paul and Kat at the foot of the midi Ridge

Paul moving up the slopes of pointes lachenal

Paul on the summit of pointes Lachenal

Kat just below the summit of Pointes lachenal

Kat on the summit of Pointes Lachenal

Summit time

Paul and kat traversing the summit ridge just before the abseil

East face of mont blanc du tacul with mont blanc looming in the distance

Paul on the short abseil from the summit

Kat descending the steep snow slope back down to the vallee blanche