While Russ's wife Debbie, and Matthew's wife Pamela, were spinning, felting and dying thier way through Kathy's Woolly Tour (photos here) hubbies decided to join Mark for some alpinism in the Chamonix area.

Matthew on the left and Russ on the right, on our first day's climb, a Traverse of the Aiguilles Crochues.

The Aiguilles Rouges with the Aiguilles Crochues the right-most group of summits. Mouse over to see the line.

Matthew gets photographed from both ends.

Working along the exposed ridge crest in the central part of the route.

Another party on the scenic descent.

After our climb we descend snow slopes and trails to Lac Blanc.

Great views and delicious tarte at the refuge at Lac Blanc.

Our initial plan the following day included a traverse of the high glaciers via the Panoramique cable car. However, a very delayed opening and possible late afternooon thunderstorms suggested we alter plans at the last minute.

We headed up the Felgere lift, to the via ferrata Les Evettes.

On the via ferrata.

Russ steps lively on the final "Himalayan Bridge".

With a few hours of afternoon remaining, we went rock climbing at Les Gaillands.

On Day 3, we are off to La Vierge and the Petite Flambeau. The journey starts with a ride across the Panoramique cable car to Pointe Helbronner.

On the lift we pas by La Vierge, the tower on the left foreground, and the lower part of the north ridge of La Vierge.

Mouse over to see the route.

Walking down the glacier to the start of the climb.

On the summit.

After our climb of the Vierge, we continued up the North Ridge of the Petite Flambeau. Another party arrives to climb the Vierge.

Fun but easy scrambling along the ridge.

On Day 4, we head back up the Aiguille du Midi, to climb the ultra-classic Arete des Cosmiques.

Starting down the ridge on the approach to the route.

Looking back up the infamous descent off the Midi.

Almost to the start of the proper climbing.

Lots of folks on the route.

Not sure how to caption this one.

Dramatic views from the route.

The crux pitch is the little slab below the climber in orange pants.

Perhaps the easiest part of the climb.

Looking back down after the crux section.

Russ celebrates the finish.

Another team does the summit pose.

On our last day, the forecast called for rain after perhaps noon or 1 pm. So a short objective was called for. We headed up to the rock climbing slabs at Montenvers, above the Mer de Glace.

We were joined by Kathy.

Russ finishes the first pitch of La Grand Echelle.

Good climbing on the last pitch.

Rappelling down after a climb of Adieu Sibérie.

And, of course the obligatory ladders to return to the Montenvers station.

And just in time, as the weather was starting to look a bit threatening.