11.00 - 17.30, 5km, 1410m. Val Veny, Nr Courmayeur.
Clear and sunny. John Balmforth And myself. Lago del Miage, Chiacciajo del Miage, Gonnella Hut. A long tiring walk in. Great to be in the Alps again.
04.30 - 19.00, 4km, 1244m.
Clear and sunny. John Balmforth And myself. Gonnella Hut, Ghio del Dome, Col des Aiguilles Crises, Piton des Italiens, Col du Dome, Dome du Gouter, return to Gonnella Hut. Lost route up glacier at one point, this caused delays. Very slow above 3900m due to my lack of acclimatization. I stopped at Col du Dome with sacs while John went on to Mont Blanc. Descent slow due to John’s tiredness and lateness of the day resulting in soft snow. John led on the way up, I led on the way down.
09.30 - 16.30, 5km.
Clear and sunny. John Balmforth And myself. Gonnella Hut, Lago del Miago. A long slog out, both very glad to reach the end.
