Gini and Gary were back in Chamonix this year, just like last year, to help us both usher in our summer guiding season with some pure fun rock climbing. They brought the summer with them, in fact!

An unusually wet and cool month of June meant unprecedented levels of snow in the mid and high mountains. This helped us narrow down objectives...

On our first day we headed up the Montenvers train to take in sunny granite slabs above the Mer de Glace. Gini takes the lead on one of our selected routes.

Gary feeling the friction!

Nicely bolted and thin but grippy slab climbing.

On our second day of climbing we headed into Italy and to Arnad di Bard.

Our objective was Dr. Jimmy, a fine long multi pitch climb with plenty of variety and challenge.

Gary mid-way through the route, enjoying the tiny features in the lovely rock.

Gini again hopped on lead for a few of the pitches, including the last beautiful one.

Bringing Kathy up...

We made it!

Lovely summer pastrues on descent.

Day 3, Gini was up for a greater challenge, so we headed up the "Frison-Roche" route on the Brévent. Roll over to see the line.

Not shown, the steep snow we had to belay across to get to the start! Gini is eager to get on solid rock now. A Finnish climber gets ready to follow pitch 1.

Gini on the last, beautiful corner pitch of the route.

Day 4, it's back into the Aiguilles Rouges to climb Krakoucass (or some such spelling). Kathy looks desperately for... something!

The highly entertaining tower pitch, seen from partway up the following one. Mark, come on down from there already!

Battle of the cameras.

topping out on the second tower.

A comfy lunch break in a spectacular setting.

Heading in for the day. You can see how outrageously snowy it still is up here! End of June!

On our last day, we got an alpine start to head back to Machaby and climb Diretto al Banano. We started early to beat the heat.

Nice to know we're still on route.

Cruxy moves on really beautiful rock!

And more...

But wait, there's still more!

By the time the sun hit us, a refreshing breeze was already starting up. The weather was glorious in fact.

The view downriver to the Forte di Bard.

Cool shade at the end of the climb.

The descent was long, but offered many pleasures, the first of which being a cool spring.

The newly-reconstructed and renovated inn and restaurant of the Forte di Machaby is a hidden gem.

As is the ancient chapel of Notre Dame des Neiges, dating from the 1600s. Kathy and Gini sneak in the back way.

Continuing down the cool shade of the carriage road. A great climb to end our week. Now for gelato!