Paul and Vandi Tompkins came over from Mountain View, CA for a couple of days of climbing and training with Kathy.

A warm, muggy and hazy day with early cloud build-up, made for unusual light as we start out from the Aiguille du Midi téléphérique station.

We started with a climb of the Cosmiques Arête. Paul and Vandi here as we took a break before the crux "point of aid" pitch approaching the top.

Making the memorable "top-out" moves onto the observation deck, we always draw attention.

After a brief stop back in the station, we headed out across the Géant glacier to the Torino hut for the night.

Clouds came up as we crossed the glacier, in fact we were soaked by rain as we neared the hut.

Sloppy snow bridges made for potentially "wiggy" crossings in the heavily crevassed section passing below the Grand Capucin

Leaving the hut at first light the next morning, we headed over to the Aiguille d'EntrËves.

Paul and Vandi's ultimate goal is to share more climbing adventures with each other. We used our time together to have them put together this climb and do the leading themselves, with me along for moral support, direction and advice as needed. As well as heckling and constant requests for them to "smile"!

Paul leads up the summit structure, on lovely rock.

The ridge is impressive in its exposure. Here we follow a guides' training group as they near the top.

Paul crankin' out the hard moves near the summit, with Vandi providing a trusty belay (and no backseat driving!)

Paul belays us both to the top.

The summit is a very tight spot! Passing Paul to begin the descent, Vandi carefully avoids impalement on his ice ax. Ouch!

Back on the glacier, we head for the Helbronner téléphérique after a job well done.