French Alps Trip

Just got back from the Alps today - surprised that I don't look out of place with a scorched face, it seems the weather has been just as spectacular here !
After a couple of days acclimatising Rob and I headed to our objective - the Kuffner Ridge on Mont Maudit, but being fried on the approach glacier we were disappointed to see the route in poor and dangerous condition ( its not been snowy or cold enough of late to create good conditions ) so we headed back around to the Cosmiques Hut  for an early night and earlier breakfast ( at 03.00 am ) so that we could give plan B a try - The Trois Monts route to Mont Blanc. It seemed we weren't the only ones with at least 6 other teams heading out the door at the same time.

Setting a steady pace we managed to reach the summit first, just after dawn and were lucky enough to have it to ourselves - a rare occurrence on such a perfect day - handshakes and smiles all round. We were back down by lunchtime for some R&R in Chamonix - finishing off the trip with a very relaxed climb up the Cosmiques Arete and a tandem parapente flight from the Plan De l'Aiguille for me ( I was even lucky enough to be allowed the controls for a short while - scary !! )