Mike Starr, once again traveled from Israel to join Mark for a week's worth of climbing in the Chamonix area. His arrival coincided with the first significant storm in a couple weeks, so our first planned day was "postponed" as we waited out the rain and wind.

However, it cleared quickly and we were able to head straight up to the Albert 1er hut the next day. (The hut phone was knocked out by lightening, which made reservation impossible, but in the end the hut was only about half full.)

We started with the Aiguille du Tour, via the classic Table Spur.

Hut visitors enjoying the sun and the views of the Tour Glacier.

This photo, taken a few days later shows the Aiguille du Tour. Mouse over the image to see the location of the hut and our route up.

The Aiguille du Tour from near the Albert 1er hut. The infamous Table can be seen high on the ridge just below the summit.

The Tour Glacier from near the hut.

Mike on the Table. Behind are the Aiguille d'Argentiere on the left and the Aiguille du Chardonnet on the right.

Fine climbing just above the Table.

....and on the ridge connecting to the main summit.

We spent another night at the hut, originally planning on the Aiguille Purtscheller the following day.

But less then optimum enthusiasm for the hike back up the glacier suggested we head down in the morning. Early morning light on Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley.

With the remainder of the excellent day, we climbed the route Mani Pulitti in the Index area of the Aiguilles Rouges. As was the plan, we took a few days off.

After a bit of a rest, our next block of climbing days started with a Traverse of the Aiguilles Marbrees, not far from the Torino hut. Here, Mike tackles the final few meters to the summit.

The next day found us on the Southeast Ridge of the Tour Ronde. First rays of sun on Mont Blanc.

And looking the other direction. The Grandes Jorasses on the left and the Grand Combin in the center.

Climbing broken rock low on the route.

Mike on the classic slab, a memorable part of the route.

This photo we take on the walk back to the hut. The Tour Ronde is the peak on the left, and the Southeast Ridge is the left skyline.

Down climbing the slab on the Tour Ronde.

The next day, and what would be our last of very good weather, we climbed the Demi-Lune on the left edge of the ice face on the Petite Aiguille Verte.

Looking down from almost the summit. Mike has just left the Demi-Lune and is on the last significant ice pitch.

Higher on the same pitch.

And down climbing the normal West Ridge.

The following day, poor weather sent us scurrying in to Italy in search of dry rock. We found some at Machaby, but were only able to do a couple pitches before the rains returned.

For our last day the forecast was really pretty bad. But we thought we might just get lucky enough to do a route in the Aiguille Rouges. We opted for Somone, a 7-pitch climb quite close to the Brevent lift top station. Here is a view to the west.

Mike on the second pitch of Somone.

And on the third.

The rain held off for just long enough. The only other people we saw were another guide, Asmus Norreslet, and his client, also on Somone.

Mike in the rain, just at the top of Somone. All that remains is a 10-minute walk back to the top of the Brevent lift.