Mark Baldwin took a detour on his way to a meeting in Grindelwald to enjoy a few days of climbing in Chamonix. We had 2 days of great weather and one, well, not so good.

On our first day, we started with a traverse of the Pointes Lachenal. This fun route climbs along the ridge (mostly), from left to right.

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After Lachenal, we continue over to the Arête des Cosmiques for our return to the Aiguille du Midi.

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Climbing on the Cosmiques.

View towards the Arête des Cosmiques.

On our second day, we had fantastic weather. We climbed the Contamine-Grisolle route on the North Face Triangle of the Mont Blanc du Tacul.

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Easy climbing in the entrance gully of the Contamine Grisolle.

After the crux chockstone, we turn the corner onto the shady north face.

Higher on the route, back into the sun.

The final rocky moves. Perhaps another 300 meters to the top.

On the summit of the Tacul.

Heading down the normal route.

And the rather long walk back to the Aiguille du Midi.

The final ridge back to the lift and our ticket to Chamonix.

On our third day, we weren't quite so lucky with the weather. With intermittent drizzle in Chamonix, we decided to try our luck with rock climbing. Mani Puliti was busy so we moved next door to Modern Time. Here is another climber on Mani Puliti.

One pitch up and the rain begins. We rappel, then down to the warmth and security of the valley.