The trails -- beginning with a trail map of the France portion of the trek. (My trek took me into parts of France, Italy, and Switzerland.)
Sure it looks flat.. at first glance. But you see that peak at the top right? That peak represents only half my ascent for the day -- and then I had to descend the other side.
You see that zigzaging trail climbing from the town? Well it represents only the *approach* to the real climb yet to begin.
Obvious signs of glaciation...
It might be a map, but I study it as though it were a stock chart!
Me, attempting to capture the majesty and beauty of the region
Hangliders everywhere in the Chamonix Valley
The refuges...
Moments of beauty -- Sunrise, and the mountains come alive
... as does this butterfly.
Beauty everywhere...
... no matter where, or how, you looked.
Trail markers. I followed the TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc)
A nuclear bunker in Switzerland. Apparently, every town in Switzerland, no matter how small, builds a fallout shelter to house all its residents.
On the glacier...
... viewing the earth from the roof of the world.
Several glacier walkers, which qualifies as a high risk endeavor. Note the guide ropes, so that each person watched out for the other in addition to helping assure that you will not get lost from the others.
The glacier up close
A natural ice cave
Some glacier walkers beginning their descent. I tilted my camera to get this shot -- note the angle of the clouds! So, in fact, the descent is not as gentle as this photo implies...
No global warming eh? There once was a glacier right here...
Face to face, and... The End
