Yes - the down sleeping bag did its job and I've been warm and comfortable all night. Getting out of it at 5:45 in a room WELL below zero isn't exactly fun, but it means we move quick and we're soon down at the breakfast table.
Takes a while to get crampons sorted out - Gerry's are borrowed and not set for his boots - and then we are off.
Route is straight up the valley as the sky brightens and the sun slowly appears. 
Slow slog up the valley to the col at the top (3700m). 
Not much to say about it really, which is a shame, as it is beautiful. 
If I was a poet, I could possibly give you a wonderful description of the scenery that would do it justice, but I'm not!
At the col we took a break to snack and congratulate ourselves on getting this far!
Gerry has been suffering for most of the day, and the rests aren't helping much. 
He can't get his breath, and has a splitting headache. 
As we walk he drifts to the back where he frequently has to stop to fight for breath.
Takes a while to get crampons sorted out - Gerry's are borrowed and not set for his boots - and then we are off.Route is straight up the valley as the sky brightens and the sun slowly appears. Slow slog up the valley to the col at the top (3700m). Not much to say about it really, which is a shame, as it is beautiful. If I was a poet, I could possibly give you a wonderful description of the scenery that would do it justice, but I'm not! At the col we took a break to snack and congratulate ourselves on getting this far!Then the fun started, right at the col and up a ridge line, 
weaving between rocks, 
and scrambling up the steep bits. 
Gaps in the clouds gave us fleeting views of other peaks and ridges. 
weaving between rocks, and scrambling up the steep bits. Gaps in the clouds gave us fleeting views of other peaks and ridges. Gerry has been suffering for most of the day, and the rests aren't helping much. He can't get his breath, and has a splitting headache. As we walk he drifts to the back where he frequently has to stop to fight for breath.After a few more scrambles, 
the ridge leads to a more gentle slope to the summit peaks of Ras. 
There are two peaks, separated by a narrow snowy ridge about 30 foot long. 
There is a narrow snowy couloir between cliffs that leads down from the ridge to (hopefully) a more gentle slope below. I say hopefully because a group of spanish skiers arrive one by one to the summit while we are sitting there, and cheerfully don their skies and disappear down the slope.
the ridge leads to a more gentle slope to the summit peaks of Ras. There are two peaks, separated by a narrow snowy ridge about 30 foot long. There is a narrow snowy couloir between cliffs that leads down from the ridge to (hopefully) a more gentle slope below. I say hopefully because a group of spanish skiers arrive one by one to the summit while we are sitting there, and cheerfully don their skies and disappear down the slope.We have some lunch on the summit, but after eating, I feel sick for most of the descent - must be the altitude although I've been fine until then. 
Means there are less photos of the way down - although it was still a great walk. 
Ploughing and sliding through the deep snow was lots of fun. 
We make our way back to the refuge, to recover and debrief. 
Means there are less photos of the way down - although it was still a great walk. Ploughing and sliding through the deep snow was lots of fun. We make our way back to the refuge, to recover and debrief. Yesterday's hike is no longer the toughest day Gerry has done in his life! 
I'm feeling better after dropping altitude and a bit of a rest. 
We manage to commandeer the fire for an hour or two, and got nice and warm before dinner. We were planning another early start, so headed off to bed early, hoping it will get rid of all headaches.
I'm feeling better after dropping altitude and a bit of a rest. We manage to commandeer the fire for an hour or two, and got nice and warm before dinner. We were planning another early start, so headed off to bed early, hoping it will get rid of all headaches.
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