I didn't realise that in France you start to climb a mountain by taking a gondola to the top and then walking down. Here we are walking down a ridge to access our virgin mountaineering climb.

Brent & Isabel take the lead while I follow up.

Brent looks very French in this photo.

Preparing for our ascent....

...Brent leaps over bolder and gaps while we trip and stumble.

A lovely clear day - Brent is always patient and smiling despite the face he has a headache from the altitude and doesn't want to take an asparin (which both Isabel & I take)

Brent gives Isabel confidence as she is about to follwo the rope over a drop.

I love this shot. The colours make it look like he is supporting his body weight with just his fingers (which he could!) He's actually wedged between two rocks to ensure we are well protected.

Patience as Isabel & I walk carefully.

Confident as Isabel clings to the cliff face. 30cm behond here was a drop of a few hundred metres.

Capturing the moment for Isabel while she hauls herself up a 3 metre cliff. Easy for Brent - more of a challenge for us.

Just hanging out on a 30 cm ledge - as you do!

Securing the rope for Isabel & I to follow.

Admiring the view or...relieving himself - well - both! I can see why he loved it - who'd want to pee in a small dark room when you can piss from the top of the world.

That smug look - revenge on big brother for all the torture growing up.

What a stud!

Doesn't look so hard - and it wouldn't be if you didn't know that there was a 200 metre drop below you!

This is where Brent loved to be - on the edge of the world. My dad has a picture of him at 5 year old sitting on a cliff edge like this in Guatemala - I still remember being terrified - but Brent just sat and dangled his feet over the edge and looks between his legs at the 500 metre drop below him. We'll put that photo up soon.

Brent with the 'alien' hat I gave him having a snack break (probably waiting for me to climb up!)

Brent rapelling down a short slope & showing me how to do it.

Brent & Heather enjoying a view.

Walking down the mountain after the climb. I took at least an hour longer and has blisters by the end (new boots) - they were all fine!

We take a day out to explore the other delights of France - great cakes!

Hmmm - cakes!

And shopping of course!

Before I arrived, Brent, heather & Josh has already been climbing - and when they 'arrived' at the viewing platform at the end of the climb, Japanese toursists wanted their photo. So Brent turned the tables and said 'oh look - Japanese tourists - can we have a photo with you?' - this is the result!

Brent & Heather in a loving embrace.

The Raymond brothers and their babes in front of the Climbing Museum in Chamonix.

Investigating what climbs are around.

Sheltering by a hut in a snow squall...

...with Heather inspired by waffle biscuits.

I think this is Brent part way up a massive climb where they had to sleep on a small ledge half way up. I was VERY impressed & proud of my taleted brother.

Brent in the morning getting up to conf=tinue the climb. Note I wasn't there for this - nor was Heather - so Josh must have taken these - thanks Josh!