Mark teamed up with Gerry for this years Alps trip.
The plan - to climb Alpin-durst (14 pitches 4c) on the Jagihorn. Castor and Pollux, the Eiger, the Matterhorn, Lyskamm, the Frendo ! So, within 10 hours of leaving Edinburgh they were swinging leads on the grippy gneiss high above Sass Grund sucking in thin air on a bright sunny day and adjusting the plan for the coming week.
The Swiss meteo was showing a 1.5 day blip with heavy weather up high so they relocated to the valley for some sport climbing and Ferrata at Belvedere then onto the Grand Hotel Kurhaus in the Arolla valley to pack for a couple nights at Klein Matterhorn. Arriving in Zermatt in good time and up to the Hut for stunning 360 views.
First up each day they had the plateau and journey to both mountains in complete solitude. Castor and Pollux being in great conditions with firm and squeaky snow and on both occasions they had the summits to themselves.
High altitude sleeps over they headed to the valley to mainline on some oxygen and then some multi pitch climbing in the sun at Pierr du Moelle.
Some pics below from a great and busy week...
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| Alpin-Durst © Gerry McGarry |
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| © Gerry McGarry |
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| Jagihorn summit |
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| Gerry on Ferrata Belvedere © Mark McGinnes |
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| Breithorn with Pollux and Castor behind © Mark McGinnes |
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| Mark tying alpine butterflies at 5am © Gerry McGarry |
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| Mark climbing the fixed ropes on Pollux © Gerry McGarry |
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| Gerry on the Pollux summit ridge © Mark McGinnes |
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| Summit ridge Castor © Gerry McGarry |
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| Castor summit ridge © Mark McGinnes |
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| Summit selfie |
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| Looking across to Lyskamm © Mark McGinnes |
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| Limestone multi-pitch climbing © Mark McGinnes |
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| © Mark McGinnes |
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