Dick Dietz, once again joined Mark for a few days of climbing in Switzerland and France. Unfortunately, the weather gods were not so kind as on his previous trips, and extracted their required sacrifice. Our original plan included the Mönch and Jungfrau, as well as some peaks in the Zermatt area. But, as you'll find below, many changes in plans were needed.

Starting from Grindelwald Grund, the wet pavement tells the story.

Though not actually snowing, at the base of the Mönch, one can't really call it sunny.

We started up the SE Ridge of the Mönch, but new sloppy snow, and no track suggested we wait a day for things to settle.

Heading down, back to the Mönchsjoch hut for the night.

The next morning things did not really look much better. Still lots of sloppy snow on the rock.

Our better judgement suggested we take in the touristic offerings of the Jungfraujoch "Top of Europe".

The platform of the Sphinx.

Looking down the Jungfraufirn towards Konkordiaplatz.

"Alpine Sensations"

The moving walkway.

Once down in the valley, and with a bit of time to kill, we made a visit to the impressive Trümmelbach falls.

Looking down the Lauterbrunnen valley to the Staubbach Falls.

Hoping for somewhat better weather and more climbing options we returned to Chamonix. With one good day of weather we enjoyed the classic Arête des Cosmiques.

Amazing positions on this route.

About halfway along the climb, looking towards Italy.

After the crux. The Grandes Jorasses in the background.

The view back to Mont Blanc from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi.

Climbers on the Arête des Cosmiques.

The following day, we had hoped to ride the Panoramique lift to the Franco-Italian border and do a climb there. However, a "technical problem" (something to do with the electric supply) closed the lift for the day. With thwarted plans we decided to head to Zermatt a bit early.

The next day was murky as we attempt (unsuccessfully) to get to the Rifugio d'Ayas in Italy. Though the weather was not really all that terrible, there was no track, very soft snow, and lots and lots of crevasses. Not a good combination. Here, we are returning to the Klein Matterhorn in defeat.

And on our last day, we again had to change plans. Hoping to climb on the Riffelhorn, the late morning rain suggested an alternate activity - The Gornerschlucht.

Near the finish of the Gorner Gorge Adventure.

Dick, still riding high.