Gini Kramer made her annual (or is it semi-annual?) trip to Europe again in 2018. In addition to "doing" such things as the Ring Cycle in Munich, she managed to squeeze in a week of climbing with Mark.

We were also joined by husband Gary, and friend Mary Beth, each for one day.

Other Trips with Gini

Gini, Gary, and Tina, July 2017
Gini and Gary, June 2016
Gini and Gary, June 2015
Gini and gals in Dolomites, September 2010
Gini, September 2009
Gini and Sandy in Chamonix, August 2008

We started with an Aiguilles Rouges classic, Gaspard Premier on Pointe Gaspard.

Gini at the base.

Some 6 pitches later Gini tops out of the crux 5b (or maybe 5c) pitch.

Looking over at another party on the descent - made much more interesting by the tremendous amount of remaining winter snow.

Gini on the summit of Pointe Gaspard.

For our next climb, we upped the ante considerably. This is L'Été Indien (Indian Summer) on Mount Oreb. Seven great pitches, four of them 6a and one tricky 6a+ pitch.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at the base and have no climbing photos. We'll have to content ourselves with the memories. Here we are hiking out.

Looking for something shorter the following day, we crossed the snows of the Flegere to Fraise des Boâtsch, on the Aiguille de la Floria.

In the end we only climbed two pitches. The rock didn't inspire and perhaps our feet were a bit traumatized from the previous day's abuse.

Gini, belaying in the moat, some 10 meters above the "normal" start.

The following day, we were off to the Pyramid du Tacul.

Perfect weather, perfect conditions.

Just off the glacier, time for rock shoes.

A great ledge at the top of the 2nd pitch.

The lie-back corner on the 3rd pitch.

Much higher now. Almost to the summit.

Amazingly, we had the peak to ourselves.

The following day, our 5th, Gary joined us for a day of bolted climbing on La Duchère, near Les Contamines-MontJoie.

Gini at one of the belays of Le Nain Jaune Attend (The Yellow Dwarf Awaits).

Our 6th day was up at Col Colombiere.

Gini on Courte Paille.

And on our last day, we were back up in the Aiguille Rouges. Gini and Mark were joined by Gini's friend Mary Beth.

Our objective for the day (aside from simply enjoying the magnificent views) was Somone, a route Gini had enjoyed before.

May Beth at the top of the 1st pitch.

Top of the 3rd.

The final lead of the week, some 7 pitches up above the start.

Time to change shoes.

Thanks Gini (and Mary Beth too).