After a few failed attempts at pretty hard routes, including some nasty, unplanned, open bivvis, we decided to try and hit something easy for the last day of the trip.
The approach definitely did not disappoint. With Lee heading off on his first easy ice lead 30 minutes after boarding the lift way down in Chamonix.
This photo is actually from the third pitch, or the second actual pitch. One of the hardest on the route. Why do people always leave them to me to lead?
The entire route had tonnes of abseil stations and belays to use. It was incredible not to be searching for a belay.
The crux pitch. A really fun pitch of 60m of vertical ice (in those conditions) I remember not placing any gear at all and just running it out on the perfect ice. One of the best pitches of my life.
Those of you who know me know I can't resist a good belay picture. This is the last belay waiting for lee to come up.
The entire route, we were shadowed by these Belgian guys who were incredibly nice and also seemed to be very good climbers. We shared a few belays and chatted away in Franglish. It was a very nice feeling to set a pace experienced climbers couldn't over take us on.
We were back at the lift for noon. Sipping beers by half past. Not a bad end to a trip,
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