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Taken: 08/01/2007 01:55:34
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:25
Original Size: 2048 x 1536

Taken: 08/01/2007 02:16:13
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:26
Original Size: 1536 x 2048
The approach to the Requin refuge was surprisingly easy along the dry summer glaciar... until we got to this point. An old rope protected a hair-raisingly thin snow bridge, then a few exposed bridging moves, to arrive at the start of the ladders up the moraine.

Taken: 08/01/2007 03:01:33
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:29
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
Seracs du Geant in summer. I shudder to think the things we skied over in the winter.

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Taken: 08/01/2007 03:57:36
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:31
Original Size: 1280 x 1024
Sunset on Les Drus, Aiguille Verte, and Les Droites from the Refuge du Requin.

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Taken: 08/01/2007 03:59:53
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:32
Original Size: 2048 x 1536

Taken: 08/01/2007 13:48:13
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:34
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
The last part of the glacier before the start of the climb got a little sketchy. We'd heard some years it was nearly impassable.

Taken: 08/01/2007 14:43:15
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:38
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
Finally on the first proper climbing pitch, having ascended the long route from the glacier miles below.

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Taken: 08/01/2007 14:43:18
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:10
Original Size: 2048 x 1536

Taken: 08/01/2007 16:26:59
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:42
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
We quickly attained a height such that we were looking DOWN on the Aiguille de Blaitiere. The climbs we'd down from the Envers hut to what seemed like a high vista on the Point de Nantillons is miles below.

Taken: 08/01/2007 16:30:39
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:44
Original Size: 1536 x 2048

Taken: 08/01/2007 16:37:18
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:47
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
Just after arriving on the arete from the long couloir, the climbing got tricker right away.

Taken: 08/01/2007 16:37:41
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:49
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
...thoroughly enjoying such a fine route on such a fine day.

Taken: 08/01/2007 18:22:46
Uploaded: 08/03/2007 10:34:54
Original Size: 2048 x 1536
After Richard led this tricky part, we found a long ledge protected by a bolt. Unfortunately it led to a crack we eyeballed at 6b and with no other way, we had to rappel and then downclimb back to something moderately easier. Route finding is definitely tricky up there, and be prepared for something much harder than graded!