The preparation and hard work I had spent in the months and days proceeding to this moment had now become clear. I could finally hear all of their whispers, all of their secrets. As I sat there quietly listening, two sharp tugs on the rope in my hand from above prompted me to start the last leg of the climb I was now sadly finishing. I untied myself from the pitch and made my way up the finale. We sat at the top for a few moments in the sun while enjoying the view over the Vallee Blanche and then finished up the ladder to the midi station to the applause from a crowd of Japanese tourists.

We are hoofing

Elated and spellbound by the whole experience, we made our way back down to Chamonix to celebrate our first Alpine route together.

Great tan

Great beer