The Sall Family joined Mark for a few days of trekking and climbing. Unfortunately, their visit coincided with some of the wettest weather of the summer.

We started with a hike up to the Albert Premier hut.

On the trail.

After a brief pause in the hut, some soup and omelette, we wandered down onto the glacier.

Peering into the abyss.

The glacier is remarkably dry this year, with several good walls for working on cramponning technique.

Practicing flat-foot crampon skills.

Back at the hut, we watch the weather approaching.

Any unfortunately, in spite of our efforts to "beat the weather" with a 4 am breakfast plan, the rain arrives in the middle of the night.

In the end, we, and virtually everyone else in the hut, are forced to descend.

Tate and Jeff on the rough trail below the hut.

The rain was light, fortunately, for nearly the entire hike out.

Jeff and the lower Tour Glacier.

After taking a break for a day, Jeff and Mark headed up the Aiguille du Midi to climb the classic Arête des Cosmiques.

The new snow of the previous day and a half of precipitation nearly blocked the exit to the glacier.

Looking back up at the Aiguille du Midi.

We began with the Arête à Laurence. Very busy on this day.

Posing for a pic on the Laurence, just before we stopped for an espresso in the Cosmiques hut.

Higher on the Arête des Cosmiques.

The last few moves of the route.