Gaute arrived from Norway
Gaute arrived from Norway along with September, my final week’s work this season.
The target was Mont Blanc, but the weather wasn’t looking that good. It is always a little unpredictable in September, but there have been many great periods. This was unfortunately not going to be one.
After a good day on the Aiguille Crochures Traverse, we made our way in gloomy weather to the Gouter Hut, ready, if there was a chance, to continue that same day to the summit. It was not to be. Extremely strong winds, gusting to over 60 kilometres per hour, had caused every party that day to return to the hut. The new guardian at the crowded refuge, announced that tomorrow would be just as bad. In hope of a better situation, we did rise at midnight and peek outside. Very poor weather and the trip to the outside toilet was a route in itself.
Gaute persuaded me to stay at the hut for another night, and we might even get a chance later that day. The rescue helicopter had earlier needed to turn back in a pickup mission somewhere on the Dome du Gouter, the rescue being achieved some time later. The improvement in weather did not arrive so I agreed to another night in the refuge.
We now had only one more slot, a midnight start again but our bad luck continued. No visibility above the hut, and in extremely strong winds, we struggled to reach the summit of the Dome du Gouter. We continued on in awful weather towards the col below the Vallot hut, but it was now too serious to continue. If it was like this here, what could we expect on the summit of Mont Blanc? Every other team but one had already turned back. A British Army team of four young and hardened soldiers had actually reached the Vallot hut and even a little higher, but they turned back as well. All teams 0, Mt Blanc 1.
We have already made arrangements for next year for our Mt Blanc ascent, which will be made somewhat earlier in the season.
Gaute left for a wedding in Germany, but managed a trip to Zermatt on the way. I am not sure if he saw the Matterhorn or not? Next year WILL be the year for Gaute.
For me, it spelt the end of my season, a time besotted this year by poor weather. I can only expect better weather next season. There is TOO much to do.