Immediately following our college graduations, my high school friend Rich and I went on a 9-week trip to Europe. It was about half sightseeing and half climbing. We spent some time in Chamonix, Zermatt, and Lauterbrunnen, and we were stunned by the European Alps. The Massif du Mt. Blanc was particularly nutty, and we got a real kick out of the "culture de haute montagne" of Chamonix. When they say "capitale mondiale de l'alpinisme et du ski", they ain't kidding! Zermatt and the Matterhorn were also amazing. The Hornli Ridge climb, while not difficult by modern standards, was a real challenge for us at the time, and very satisfying.
L'Aiguille de Bionassay, seen from the terrace of the Gouter hut, Mt. Blanc.
Rich (purple shirt) in the common room of the Gouter hut.
This view of the Matterhorn from the Hornli Hut in the late afternoon was awe-inspiring.
On the terrace of the Hornli Hut, view towards Monte Rosa (nice 'fro!).