David and Carol came to Zermatt looking for a chance to climb a peak or two as part of a longer trip to Europe. They met up with Kathy to climb Breithorn and Pollux, with a hut stay between.

David and Carol on top of the Breithorn.

The forecast was quite mixed for our first day, but there were good sun breaks in the morning. Starting up toward the Breithorn pass from the Klein Matterhorn lift.

Nearing the summit...

On the summit....

And repeating this photo, taken just a minute or two after the above one, to convey just how extreme was the variability of both cloud cover/precipitation, and temperature!

Descending into Italy, we headed toward the Guide d'Ayas hut.

Into the gathering mists.

Passing below Pollux on the way.

The following morning dawned beautiful and clear, though with much new snow wind-blown throughout the previous night, accumulated in a wintry blanket over everything.

Starting up Pollux, with crampons and fully decked out in our winter coats.

Brrrr!

Descending the ridge in "Scottish conditions". OK, well, minus a howling gale and 99% humidity... Actually quite balmy by Scottish standards but felt cold to us.

And, as this strangely variable weather pattern continued, just a short couple of hours later we are melting in a stifling reflector oven of heat on our way back to the lift! A crazy day, but a fun one with Carol and David.