Kathleen and Jim Soukup, from New Hampshire, made a quick visit to the Alps, climbing with Mark for four days in the Chamonix area. We began with a Traverse of the Aiguille d'Entrèves, on the Franco-Italian border.

Kathleen and Jim on the Entrèves.

A view of the Aiguille d'Entrèves from the Panoramic lift, which we used to "approach" the peak. The route climbs from the col to the right of the peak, traverses both summits to the snowy shoulder below the left-hand summit.

On the Entrèves.

Traversing the final rocky spires near the summit.

On day 2, under somewhat threatening skies, we climbed the classic Arête des Cosmiques on the Aiguille du Midi. On the approach to the climb.

Another party rounds the big tower mid-route.

Kathleen and Jim.

"Look Ma, no hands!"

On day 3, the weather on the France side of the range was gloomy and wet. But a quick trip through the Mont Blanc tunnel brought us back into the sun . We climbed a route called Dr Jimmy, on Mount Coudrey.

The final moves of the final excellent pitch of Dr Jimmy.

And on our last day, we climbed the Aiguille de l"index, in the Aiguilles Rouges.

Another party approaching the summit of the Index.

On the rappel descent.