David Dewar joined Mark several days climbing in the Chamonix area. First on the tick-list, and long-time goal, was the Forbes Arête on the Aiguille du Chardonnet. Taking advantage of a good forecast, we jumped right on it.

Mr. David Dewar.

But the hike up to the Albert 1er hut, our starting point for the Forbes, is so short that we decided to do a bit of rock climbing before walking in. Climbing at the Cheserey.

We did Voie EMHM, a great 5-pitch route up to about 5b-c. Here, David finishes up the crux pitch, the 4th.

After our morning rock warm-up, we continued into the Albert 1er hut. The Aiguille du Chardonnet up close and personal. Mouse over to see the route (up the left, down the right).

We arrived at the hut with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the flowers.

Breakfast at 2 in the morning. Need I say more? Actually, David looks remarkably awake.

We reached the Forbes Arête proper just a bit after sunrise. Here is the view looking east. Other climbers lower on the route.

Another party just ahead of us.

And the same party, just after passing them. (We all got back to the hut at pretty much the same time.)

David on the summit of the Aiguille du Chardonnet.

Typical Chamonix ridge line. Here, we are only a few minutes off the summit, heading down.

Epilog: After a long descent, we continued down to Chamonix for a well deserved rest. The following two day's forecast was not perfect, but not terrible. We decided to head into the Couvercle hut, and climb the Moine's South Ridge. Upon hiking in, however, blisters developed on the Forbes became so painful, that we sadly concluded that more climbing was not in the long-term interest of the feet. So it was out to Chamonix again, with some quality time in flip-flops.