Ken Seamon joined Kathy for an alpine vacation from his home in Cambridge, as he tries to do each year. They based their climbs in and around Chamonix this time around.

Day one, summit one, on top of Pointe Lachenal. The weather looked threatening, but stayed dry and calm for us.

The following day being rainy but with better in the forecast, we headed up to the Chabod hut and the Gran Paradiso. Plenty of ibexes in the woods, pairs of males testing their battle skills together. This one didn't want to give way on the trail, and seemed quite unconcerned by our nearness.

At dawn the next day, we pause to rope up and don crampons for the glacier. A busy spot!

A beautiful morning high on the peak.

Ken taking in the views; Mont Blanc over his right shoulder.

Our next project was the Hohlaubgrat on the Allalinhorn, beginning with a quick afternoon hike up to the Brittania hut, shown here.

From the hut, evening views of the Strahlhorn and Rimpfischhorn. Part of our ridge is just visible on the right, behind the black foreground ridge.

We get a closer view, halfway up our route the next morning.

We are relieved to get to firmer snow after some punchy bits down low. The clouds were just clearing out as the sun rose. Weissmies and Lagginhorn in the background.

Nearing the summit now, the snow is perfect.

Climbing the last bit, on steep rock, Ken is liking it. The only other party on this usually quite popular route, is behind us! We're both liking that!

Magnificent views over to the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa are our reward on top. The Rimpfischhorn in the near left.

We finished up on the first peak we ever climbed together (though on a different route), the Petite Aiguille Verte.

We climbed the face, directly up to the summit pyramid. Another party behind us passing by the "demi-lune", a snowy scoop about midway up.

Nearing the top, we can see the climbers on the normal route as we pass beneath and off to the side of their line.

On the descent route, the Argentière glacier far below.

The snow-plastered north faces of the Aiguille Verte and the Drus.

Pausing on the descent, with the Drus and Mont Blanc in the distance. It was great to spend time together in the mountains once more!