Vélan and Zermatt this week

We started the week with Mont Vélan and, for once this summer, perfect conditions. The ususal warm welcome and great food at the Vélan hut followed by blue skies, well frozen snow and only 1 other team on the route made a great start to the week.

This picture is taken from roughly the same spot as this one earlier in the "summer"!

After a "rest day" of via ferrata at Nax and rock climbing in Arolla we drove round to Zermatt...

Pollux in perfect condition

First sun on the way up Castor

Chilly on Castor summit

Breithorn half traverse - still very snowy, with huge cornices. Tricky conditions! And so cold the camera refused to take any more pictures.