Aug 2023 - (with Gemma) Ascent from Col de la Colombière. Another absolutely brilliant hike. Although I’ve done this summit before, I chose a totally different route this time and it was excellent. A steep pull up again in scorching heat to the Lac de Peyre, and then another pull up from there onto a superb and airy ridge which led to and from Pointe de Balafrasse. Pointe Blanche hung over the western side of the ridge ominously. Gemma decided at this point she’d had enough and descended safely back to the lake. In retrospect, I was actually quite relieved because I didn’t want to have to watch her tackle the ridiculously steep scree and exposed scrambles that took me to the top of Pointe du Midi. She did miss out on a bunch of ibex though. She could however enjoy the salamanders that were swimming around in the lake. There were breathtaking views from the summit; the haze restricting the distant views of late. Eventually, I met Gemma back at the lake where there were dozens of folk. Then, the promised rain arrived, making the descent incredibly slippery. It was wonderfully soothing though.