The Midi Arête

Back blipped last two days.

What a day for being in the mountains.
We were woken by the rain in the night, but the Cabane's fabulous position and modern comforts meant we simply rolled over and went back to sleep.
So what a surprise when we woke to the first clear blue skies of the week. Up and out early again we had the Val Veni to ourselves. The 'classic' route to Courmayeur is a bit of a trudge, and (for me) Courmayeur is a visit once place - so we ambled along the glacial river right at the foot of the spectacular Southern wall of the Mont Blanc Massif - anyone with even a little bit of the mountaineer in their soul can't help but stop and be wowed by the majesty here - the Innominata, the  jagged Peuterey which seems to pierce the sky, the Brenva with its improbable grace....all soar upwards drawing the eye and imagination.

I'd really been hoping for clear skies -  a special treat for Mrs IttH we rode the lifts back to Chamonix- I know, I know, such a struggle for me ;) First the Skyway which slowly rotates as it rises up from the valley floor. A last coffee before leaving Italy and then the Helbronner, simply the best ride in the world, floating and stopping high above the Mer de Glace alongside the faces of the Grand Capucin and the three Monts. Which just left  the Aguille du Midi* lift down. A train through the gorges to Le Fayet and then we managed to finish the day with a little ride on the Tramway back to St Gervais, talk about travelling in style.

*from where I took today's blip of climbers returning to base along the foot wide snow arête that leads into the station, a route I've done many times, it's always a relief to put your hand on the barrier and know you're there.

Extra - you may well need to look in large - to look carefully, but yes...that is a wingsuited base jumper leaping from the top of the Aguille du Midi - too hard to put into words the speed with which it happened, but heart stopping to see.