The Randall family came to the Alps to hike with Kathy in August. Mom got waylaid by work, but Jeff and sons William and Richard made it over.

Our day 1, hiking the Grand Balcon Sud from the Index to Montroc. Our day was cloudy, so not many photos, but the little peek-a-boo glimpses of the peaks were all the more mysterious.

The steep descent to the Col des Montets, glad to be descending!

Lovely rustic cabins line the trail at Trélechamp.

Day two, we returned to our day 1 end point and continued up over the Aiguillette des Posettes. Another cloudy start, but by the time we hit the top of the Aiguillette, things were starting to show themselves.

On top of the Tete de Balme, our high point of the day

Day 3, we headed into Switzerland. This photo shows us high above the valley of Trient, on our way to the Fenêtre d'Arpette.

Climbing up alongside the tumbling Trient glacier, with the Aiguille du Tour behind.

We made it! On the Fenêtre d'Arpette.

Heading down the steep north side of the pass

A welcome sight at the end of a long day, the graceful Hotel Splendide in Champex Lac, with its commanding view over surrounding ridges and the deep valley of the Dranse.

Day 4, after a short taxi transfer to Verbier, we are once again high up, on the aptly named "Sentier des Chamois", the path of the chamois.

The Val de Bagnes far, far below.

A road in the sky!

At last we reach our high point, the Col Termin.

Enjoying the sunshine, Jeff and William prepare for the descent.

The clouds still make the views more interesting, we head down toward our resting place for the evening, the Grand Combin making a dramatic appearance in the distance.

The Grand Combin, again.

Our destination for the day, the cozy Cabane de Louvie, nestled above the lake of the same name.

Nearing the hut.

Our comfy (pretty much) dormitory digs at the hut.

Still a bit chilly outside on the terrace!

Our final morning, the clouds are gone, and the lake showing off!

The Grand Combin (and the Petit one as well) beckons.

Farewell to the Louvie hut!

The village of Fionnay, the end of our trail, whence back to Chamonix via the scenic cog railway of the Mont Blanc Express.

But wait! It's not over yet! After the hike, Richard teamed up with Mark to climb the classic traverse from the Aiguille du Midi, to the Aiguille du Plan (and back again). Preparing in the corridor of the Aiguille du Midi téléphérique top station.

Heading out along the snowy ridge section from the Aiguille du Midi. If you look verrrry very carefully, below the sun flare there is a tiny blip peeking out from the right side of the Grand Combin, that is the mighty Matterhorn from a great distance

Nearing the summit of the Aiguille du Plan, Mont Blanc in the background left.

Richard tags the summit

Thanks to all the family for joining us, we hope to see you again one day, next time perhaps with Mom.