Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc as seen from the Klein Matterhorn cable car station at sunrise.
An unforgettable traverse of a breathtaking knife edge snow ridge
Mont Blanc as seen from the Klein Matterhorn cable car station at sunrise.
Breithorn, one of the easier 4000ers, as seen from near Breithorn Pass. This would be a good one to go back for by ourselves.
Richie leading the way across the glacier toward Castor. The two Liskamm summits can be seen in the very back near the center of the photo. The left (east) one is higher but both appear on the latest "official" 4000er list. Castor is to the right of the Liskamm summits and Pollux is in front of them.
Large crevasses were attention getters on the otherwise uneventful glacier walk. This was my first visit to Italy (just barely over the border).
Pollux (left) and Castor (right) are known as the Zwillinge, or twins. They are both relatively easy endeavors.
Two climbers on the summit of Castor and the impressive bergshrund we had to climb over to reach the summit ridge.
A close up view of the icy bergshrund we climbed over. It was the most serious hole I've ever tackled.
Richie quickly sizes up the gap before casually climbing over it and belaying us from his small ice axe.
View along the gap and on toward Pollux and Breithorn.
The elegant summit of Castor complete with a stunning knife edge summit ridge. It was just a hint of what was to come on Liskamm.
Preparing for the final ridge traverse to the summit. Be sure to concentrate on every step!
Zinalrothorn and Weisshorn from the summit of Castor. We climbed Zinalrothorn two days earlier and hope to tackle Weisshorn on a future trip.
Me & Dominic on Castor.
Liskamm's western (left) and eastern (center) summits as seen from Castor.
Richie on the ridge between Castor and Liskamm near the minor subsummit known as Felikhorn.
Looking back at Castor for the western summit of Liskamm which is obviously significantly higher.
Approaching the western summit of Liskamm, at this point walking alongside the snowy knife edge. The higher eastern summit can be seen in the background on the right.
Liskamm East from the summit of Liskamm West. The traverse between the two is along a wild knife edge snow ridge with big exposure.
Monte Rosa Massif as seen from Liskamm West. The four summits (left to right) are: Nordend, Dufourspitze (the highpoint of Switzerland), Zumstein Spitze and Signalkuppe. The Grenz Glacier lies below.
Dominic starting the traverse to Liskamm East. The ridge is always very well defined to say the least.
The firts part of the traverse requires some easy 5th class climbing. We found it to be fun and fairly easy even with the new snow.