1. 2012

Vallee Blanche in April

For years I've been searching for the elusive European yeti, Gigantopithecus modernis yetii. My first expeditions to the alps (see here and here) yielded important clues about likely yeti habitats, but no actual sightings (a big furry beast located on a mountain ledge one night turned out to be a misplaced hiker named Jacques see 'In search of the yeti Part II'). However, I'd had my suspicions about the remote Vallee Blanche for years. Skiers regularly disappear without trace here, and the numerous deep crevasses provide ample shelter. Surely if the yetis were out there it would be an ideal place to find them. So when surgery to repair an old arm fracture prevented me from working, I seized the opportunity to go searching... Don't miss the published story of this adventure!
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    However, the conditions were useful in a way. This guy just drilled a hole in the rock, placed a metal rod, and poured water in around it. It sets in seconds and never melts - easier and quicker than cement.
    I soon retreated to one of my favourite cafes in the world for comfort and warmth. I spent several happy hours 'acclimatising' at 3,800 m above the clouds.
    And admiring the icicles hanging from the cafe windows. And generally daydreaming :)