A walk on the White side.

After spending some time in the Dolomites, I moved around to Chamonix and met up with Mountainstar, and Martin Garnet. After a week climbing in the Chamonix area these two had to return home. I sent another week walking before returning home to read Mountainstar's reports, and thought it was time I logged a trip report. So here goes.
We court the cable car from the village of Le Tour up to Col de Balme (2,130m) on the Swiss France border,for the start of the walk in to the Albert Premier Hut for an over night stay.

Walk into Albert Premier hut


Walking in to the Albert Premier Hut.


Looking up at the Glacier du Tour.



First beer of the night.



Checking out the route for an early start.



Discussing tomorrows route.



Alpine start.



Looking up towards the Col Supreme du Tour.



In Switzerland now, walking up the Glacier du Trient.



Looking towards Aig Dorees.




Looking through Col Purtscheller.



After crossing the bergschrund we took of our crampons ready for the rock climb to the summit, the first section was on very poor rock, one foot forward and two back.



Once we where on the solid rock it took us 4 pitches to reach the summit.



Climbing the summit ridge.



Mountainstar and Martin on the summit.



Yours truly



20 years ago I sat on this same spot and I still think its one of the best views of the Mont Blanc range to be had.



The summit party.




Looking over the Aig du Chardonnet to Mont Blanc range



Back down at our gear dump, the heat was building and it was time we headed back accros the Glaciers before the sun could do to much damage to the Ice and snow, as it was the lower glacier on the approch to the Albert Premier hut had deteriorated



Off the Glacier onto some sort of solid ground.



Looking back on our route towards Aig du Chardonnet.
Back at the Albert Premier Hut we had a quick beer to lubricate the joints before heading back down to the cable car station for the return journey to Le Tour. I would like to thank the lads for a brilliant 2 days in an Alpine Wonderland. That night we 3 and my wife Carol went for a meal to celerbrate my comeing birthday at Jeckel & Hides (the Irish Bar) in Chamonix.