Once upon a time, Joe Cain climbed Aconcagua with Kathy and Mark. Decades later, he still remembered us, and came over to trek the glaciers from Chamonix to Zermatt with Kathy.

Our first day was misty and gloomy as we started out from Le Tour.

Breaks in the clouds inspired us with hope for better things.

It never really cleared, nor did it really get bad, at least not before we were safely at our first night's destination, the Trient hut. Joe crosses over the Col Supérieure du Tour, and into Switzerland, after several hours of walking.

The next morning dawned beautifully clear however, and cold for the first time this summer! An inspiring start to our day.

Down to Champex, then train and bus to a lovely little hotel at the road end in Mauvoisin.

A litte relaxation at the hotel.

A miniature chapel perched picturesquely nearby.

Day three again dawned beautifully clear for our onward journey.

Our goal for this night, the Chanrion hut.

Lots of edelweiss seen along the trail. The next few photos are of other flowers spied that day; the meadows were in full swing and everything seemed to be blooming at once!

Daisies and friends.

Bladder campion in the shelter of the hut

Mountain Avens post bloom.

The next day we hit the trail again, this time up the Otemma glacier to the Vignettes hut.

Approaching the hut.

Enjoying the terrace. The chips were Kathy's idea!!!

Up early the next morning. The forecast was for good weather, but all things are relative. A strong north wind brought clouds at all levels, and a bitter cold wind, but no rain.

Things looked pretty good as we started out.

But we were engulfed in cloud by the time we got to the Col de l'Evêque.

Descending the Haut Glacier d'Arolla.

At last we reached the imposing ladders to the Bertol hut.

A friendly busy crowd, but thankfully far from full.

Our last day! We are well underway by first light.

Beautiful sun as we reach our high point, but what a bitter wind!

The summit of the Tête Blanche; it's all downhill from here.

Descending the Stockji glacier, with the Matterhorn and Dent d'Hérens behind.

Joe surmounts the endless boulders of the Schönbiel glacier. A couple of hours later, footsore but happy, we were at last down in Zermatt and homeward bound. Thank you Joe for being back in touch, and tackling this route successfully with Kathy!