Journey's End

So another Tour du Mont Blanc, and indeed my summer season, came to a close today.
The group were all rightly, and for differing reasons, elated to stand at Bellevue and look back into the Chamonix valley which they left 11 days ago. I stood apart for a while and soaked up their happiness and reflected how in many ways this last trip has also summed up my own season.
Some of the group knew they could do this and we're simply elated at the beauty of the experience - much as I always have been.
Some didn't think they were fit enough and really had to dig deep and connect with a part of them perhaps they didn't know was there - after 10months of injury I felt a real empathy for them and a pride that in tiny measure I helped them achieve.
One knows he faces some major changes in his life - and celebrated what may be his last big trip - I know that day will also come- there was certainly a wryness to my smile as I hugged him.

This pic (just) shows the two horizons where we turned the East (Col du Balme) & West (Col du Bonhomme) corners of the Massif.

The other huge moment of the day went to show that not every magic moment can be blipped. As we emerged from the woods above the little wire bridge that crosses L' Are where it cascades from the Bionnassay Glacier I told the group we'd scramble up some large boulders to have a picnic view, just as I reached the top I heard one of the ladies scream, as I spun I felt a rush of air, heard a swoosh and saw a shadow - ducking a huge Golden Eagle soared a couple of feet past me talons shining bright in the sun, with a thrust of his wings he was gone down the valley - heart stopping.
The ladies had seen him first and from their angle had been sure he was attacking me - I think I probably disturbed him sitting on top of the rocks - but what an encounter.