The next morning was a typical alpine start with a whole number of parties fighting for breakfast and to sort kit out, at the same time not wanting to be the first out of the door.Setting off in the dark with head torches ... we were about the third party out and could abdicate the navigation responsibilities.
The sun over the horizon gradually lit the glacier we were ascending - the first of several that flow into each other.
Moving throught h rock band and onto the top section of this glacier we were keeping up with the other parties and holding station, looking back we could see the sun lighting up the mountains to the north all the way to Mont Blanc.
The route took us diagonally across to a slight ridge along the side of the upper glacier, and the snow surface was marked by the wave formations of sustruggi .As we made the ridge we left our skis and continued on foot, in a similar manner to the other parties, however later on and more experienced we would have probably carried on.
The route followed the edge of the glacier in a circular route gradually gaining height until we arrived at the col below the Madonna summit.
On this section we dropped back behind the parties closest to us, as the altitude got to us, but no problem as we caught up again as they queued for the summit rock.The views north we fantastic, and the whole atmosphere took your breath away.
Going back was a direct reverse of the ascent. and we first walked back to the ski depot. This was where our challenges started. skiing down the glaciers where between the sustruggi there were many traps for the unwary.
the lower half was much easier and we were soon back a the hut, talking of the experiences with a few of the other parties.Somehow they found out it was my birthday, and were looking forward to long night on the beer.. however we planned to descend and after a swift bottle we made our excuses and rested, and refreshed
The route back to the valley was very soft - a lesson we would not learn first time, and only later make the decision with full cognisance of the facts.The rock band was even more of a challenge - so much so that Bryon and I determined that we needed to buy proper touring boots so we had some grip on the rock.
Back at the car, as if to show how magic the day had been we were greeted by an Ibis back on the rock opposite.Making our way back to Chamonix we soon were back in the campsite.