We started out at 8am. Took a taxi to the next village and then the cable car to a height of 1700 metres. The climb then began a total height gain of 750 metres, its also very hot so within 10 minutes of walking the mountain trousers were rolled up to the knee. About half hour later its too hot so on with the sun hat. That's better and its only 9.30am! The path meanders up the mountain surrounded by the most spectacular, breathtaking scenery. A couple of stops, a phone call home and 3 hours later we reach the Albert Premier Refuge. The refuge sleeps 24, has one window and is about 18ft square, we are going to be very cosy!. We wait a further 30 minutes for samara to join us I think she has found this hard. I am pleased with myself and my fitness I have recovered fast my biggest problem is my back every step is like having a knife driven into my spine.
Lunch is taken overlooking the Tour Glacier, it really is breathtaking and I feel privileged to part of this magical place. We we will be training on this later this afternoon. Lunch is traditional ham and cheese. We have each been given a huge baguette for the next 3 days so I assume it will be stale on day 3. Simon is carrying group rations for tomorrow and I have day 3, typical more extra weight.
After lunch we get the whole climbing gear on helmet, crampons, harness etc, only there's a problem Simon and I have the crampons for the vegas boots (the boots were bought previously and left behind) they are not suitable for the mantas but luckily we swap with Elizabeth and Samara their rented boots will take them.
We crossed a snow bridge masking the deep crevass below, Phillipe prodding the snow carefully to find us a safe route through, we looked down into the depths of another huge crevass which was amazing, the colours of the ice changing from pale blue to deep blue the deeper the crevass went. The crampons and ice axe didn't take too long to get used to I feel like a mountaineer! Although saying that I have managed to slip down some ice and pierce my rather expensive mountain trousers which now have a hole in, oh well it was bound to happen! The pace is slow and the altitude is not affecting us too much at the momnent and after 4 further hours Phillipe is happy that the group is competant so we return to the refuge, and get familiarised with our beds for the evening.
The hut is full and is dorm style, bunkbeds although they are all connected together, 12 on each side. I am on top bunk with Simon and phillipe.
Following you every step Mr Todd. Good luck! By the way it was 102 here today......training by the pool!! Russ
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