Two buddies from Illinois, John D and John O, come to the Alps with the hope of climbing Mont Blanc. As luck would have it, the weather and conditions cooperated and we were able to have a great climb via the Gouter Route.

John and John. With only 4 climbing days planned, we had to acclimate as quickly as possible. On our first day we took the cable car up the Aiguille du Midi, and climbed the Arete des Cosmiques. Spending the night at the Cosmiques hut to begin getting used to the altitude.

Here we are just coming out of the system of tunnels, restaurants, and such on the summit of the Midi.

Waiting a moment for the traffic to clear on the Arete des Cosmiques.

About half way up the Arete. Behind is Mont Blanc, the rounded dome in the background.

Further along on the Arete. In this photo we are looking east towards Switzerland. The Grandes Jorasses is the big peak on the right, and the Grand Combin is just left of center.

We spent the night in the Cosmiques hut and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. The Chamonix Valley is some 3000 meters down, on the right.

Sunrise, the following morning. On this day we descended back to Chamonix, then continued up to the Gouter hut, where conditions for Mont Blanc were excellent.

Climbers on the glacier below the Cosmiques hut.

Here, we are about half way up to the Gouter hut, about to cross the very snowy Grand Couloir. The hut can just be seen on the skyline, some 600 meters above.

Sunrise on the upper slopes of Mont Blanc.

A busy day on Mont Blanc.

Pausing for a break and photo op on the way up.

Changing colors of the dawn. The final part of the route follows the spectacular, but generally easy ridge.

Looking east, towards Mont Maudit and the Aiguille Verte from near the summit.

Finally, the summit photo....

....and the start of a long descent back to the valley, hot showers and a good meal.