After a week of rain, the forecast changed to "Saturday: fine. Sunday: fine. Monday: fine..." so we caught the last cablecar to Aiguille du Midi.

The Alps
- 3 -

The alpinist's exit from the Midi station, a warren of tunnels through solid granite. It was starting to clear.

Blue sky and clouds descending - good news from our lounge window.

Sun in time for sunset. The path is the top of our route for tomorrow, we'll finish to applause from a crowd of Japanese tourists.

A spire above one of the Midi station's viewing platforms. There are rock clims up the back, unfortunately starting at 6b.

Climbing up Cosmiques Arete, up to the station from the glacier. Kate wins full points for style, James looks like he's belaying off something although that's probably just an illusion.

The crux of Cosmiques Arete, up the blank patch between the figures. The pyramid at right is finger of two pictures ago, now with a person on top.

Shadow of Cosmiques Arete on the glacier-covered Col du Midi. Camping seems like hard work compared to staying in the station.

Sunset casts the Aig. du Midi's shadow all the way to Italy.

Sunset behind the Aiguilles Rouges, the other side of the Chamonix valley. I couldn't resist.

Sunrise (one of several) on our way up Mont Blanc du Tacul.

There had to be one: our official summit shot from Mont Blanc du Tacul, 4248m. (James, Kate, Sam, me)

We made our own path down: tradition gives the crowds coming up from the first cablecar priority.

We'd all admired this crevasse on the way up, but put off stopping the whole rope for a picture until the way down.

The top of the Tramway du Mont-Blanc, 2372m: not quite half way up from sea level.

Camping outside the over-booked Goutier Hut (3700m) at the base of the most popular route up Mont Blanc. Note the sunbather!

At last, enough light for pictures. The first few hours were by headlamp.

Passing the Vallot hut, an emergency shelter at 4362m.

Zig-zag ridge up to false summit after false summit.

Queuing on one of the narrow ridges.

Sun above the clouds, on the summit of Mont Blanc, 4808m high.

Descending: were there this many steep ridges last time?

Across the featureless Dome du Goutier.

Looking back towards the Aig. du Midi, from just above the Goutier hut.

Why the train has windows in the roof: a last view on our way out of the valley.

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