After the Pelissier we spent the night at the Cosmiques Hut. However although the Pelissier was supposed to be an ‘easy’ day – to get us into the mood for ‘Pinocchio’ the day after – it completely wiped both of us out. Time to rethink our gameplan and look at some less uncompromising objectives. The perfect choice was the Chere couloir: close to the hut (40 mins across the Col du Midi), we could get there before the crowds from the first telepherique and you can abseil off after all the nice climbing. Game on!
The following morning we had the ‘late’ 7 am breakfast (you can get one at 1 am if you are REALLY keen!!) and headed across the glacier. Wonderfully peaceful and quiet – just the occasional squeaky snowy footstep.
The approach to the foot of the Chere requires crossing a relatively ‘friendly’ bergschrund (just left of some not so … seracs) and then up an easy slope to the first real pitch.
Crossing the 'schrund - the route is the thin white line above
The rest of the route was superb even if the ice was a little on the hard brittle side. I had done it before many moons ago but it was really nice to be on something not too serious (in alpine terms!) where we could relax a little and enjoy the climbing. Four or five pitches of pleasant ice led to the top of the steep stuff and a nice abseil retreat (no nonsense about getting to the summit!).
Me on pitch 3
By the time we came to head down there were already three other parties on the route behind us. We managed to escape down the route without too many rope tangling events. As we passed a french team of three (2 guides and a client) we were glad we weren’t following them up the route as the ‘client’ proceeded to try and demolish the route as he went. We felt sorry for the Italians who had to put up with a constant battering from lumps of ice as Monsieur le Neanderthal beat his way up the route.
The rest of the day passed relatively pleasantly – even the skinning back up to the telepherique station didn’t seem too bad. Perhaps we are getting into this alpine thing. Just need another extended season or two!
wimpyalpinism 
Fantastic – looks hard but at the same time induces a longing to be there! Cabin Fever or Mountain Fever who knows. I can feel a big canvas coming on!! Congratulations by the way.
I would very much like to see the big canvas – can’t wait
You can’t count it as an outsight Tony we did it years ago youth. 25 years ago I reckon.
Al
Damn! I thought you wouldn’t remember. Memory a little hazy but … did you do it with bro after too. I think I went for a walk in the Aiguille Rouges with Gill. So many moons ago!