Paul Stillman was back for the third year in a row to climb with Kathy. This time we started in Grindelwald (grudge match!) then headed over to Mont Blanc.

It looked at first like a repeat of last year's flood-out. We arrived at the Jungfraujoch in a heavy mist and snow. We holed up for most of the afternoon in the cosy Monchsjoch hut, then got out to stretch our legs on the lower part of the Monch once the sun came out.

The following morning was gorgeous however, and we got up early to climb the Monch. Another party approaches the base of the climb behind us.

Looking west from the summit of the Monch; the Jungfrau is on the left.

Starting down the descent, the Fiescherhorn and Finsteraarhorn in the background.

Great weather for summit photos!

Looking down the SW ridge of the Monch to the Jungfraujoch installations.

From Grindelwald we headed to Chamonix and jumped right on Mont Blanc to take advantage of a weather window. A cold wind, but otherwise beautiful summit day. Here we are looking down at the Col de la Brenva, from a vantage point on the Mur de la Cote.

Looking down toward the Aiguille du Midi from near the summit.

An unusually crowded summit made photos problematic, but everyone was headed in the same direction: down. An exodus looking biblical in proportions...

The view back up toward the summit.

Approaching the Gouter hut on the descent, the nearby town of Sallanches played peek-a-boo in the clouds.

Another party preceding us to the Gouter hut.

We were glad we had bagged Mont Blanc, but we still had a day to play. We decided to climb the Petite Aiguille Verte, despite the bad weather.

We weren't the only madmen on the hill. Here a group of teenagers gets an introduction to glaciers.

Paul enjoying full "Scottish" conditions!

No crowds on the summit this time!