Day 4 Decision Arrives

Fellipe (the correct way of spelling our guides name) phones exactly on 5 as promised. I take the call, and there is an air of anticipation in our group, would it be good or bad news? Its bad news. He says the weather forecast currently would make a summit attempt on Thursday morning extremely low. The other option is to cross into Italy to attempt 4060m summit where the weather is slightly better. He says we need to consult the group and then call him back. I find it a little strange we are allowed to choose which option we prefer if in his professional opinion the weather will be too bad!

So I relay the conversation to all the group, but they had already seen the look of disappointment on my face and had guessed the outcome. We are all totally and utterly gutted. After several minutes we collectively decide we should make the trek to the Tete Rousse Refuge to give us a chance at the summit, particularly as the weather forecast has been wrong all week and the news from the uk is that the weather is reasonable. I have come here to climb Mont Blanc, this is what we have been training for, not climb another moutain in Italy (albeit their highest)! The thought of standing on top of Italy's tallest mountain looking across and seeing Mont Blanc bathed in sunshine is not what we came for and is not what we are going to do! It's Mont Blanc or nothing. If there is even the slightest chance that will be able to summit we HAVE to be in position to attempt it. Our decision has been made.....

I phone Fellipe back he seems shocked by our decision and a little bit narked, he then tells me there is a potential weather window friday morning. I asked him would it be possible to guide Simon and I on friday? Yes it means rearranging travel etc and would mean seeing Rachel and the boys a day later but it would be worth it. Fellipe says it may be possible. I'm excited again, but have forgot 1 major thing - I need to check with Rachel that she won't mind. I figure better 1 extra day than another week another time. I get the all clear from Rachel, she agrees that if there is a slight chance the we can summit on Friday to do it I just need to work the logistics out. Not sure how we will arrange this as won't know if we can push for summit until wednesday evening around 7,s and then there is no guaranteed phone signal!

Time for bed. Simon is already asleep. Lets hope the weather changes in our favour.....