2011 08 30: FRANCE : La Grave : Glacier de la Girose:
With Lionel, Daniel & Maxim. It was the 1st time for Daniel & Maxim to put the ice crampons on and use an ice axe. Beautiful day to be out, blue skies, almost no winds and nice temps for that time of the year. Maxim did very well for a 5 year old but he got tired after a while and we headed back. I ended-up having to carry him back to the car once we went back to the hutt at the top of the cable car. Most other climbers were going to the Dome de la Lauze for a leisurely hike. One group headed towards the Rateau via the col de la Girose but ended dropping on the other side. On the day we could clearly see the Grande Rousses, the Mont Blanc & Les Grande Jorasses along with la Dent du Geant. We ended the hike by having a drink with a nice view at the hutt before heading back down!
2011 08 31: FRANCE : Briançon : Pointe Buffere:
Voie de l'eperon (aka S. Peguy), right variant in 5b (short section, most of it in 4+). With Lionel. Beautiful weather for alpine climbing. I am not much of a rock climber but this was a nice outing. This is normally a very quiet place but on that day a guide from La grave showed up with his daughter, so there were 4 of us total on the route. The lower section is actually the hardest one. There are pitons and spits at regular intervals. Quite a few ledges along the way with relays allow for some relaxed breaks. We climbed with our alpine boots while the others were in their rock climbing shoes. Nice views of the surrounding peaks, the buffere hut, the Nevache valley and the Serre Chevalier valley.
2011 10 11: JAPAN : Yuzawa : Yunosawa:
Not really hiking, but was not sure where to put those pics. A nice little area with some potential for hiking/climbing/fishing.