Richard Cotter and I went to climb the Cosmique Arete on the Aiguille du Midi yesterday. We got the telepherique up to the top of the Midi at 8am, had a coffee in the restaurant and harnessed up in comfort.

Before starting down the spectacular snow ridge leading to the bottom of the summit block of the Midi.

The Cosmique arete goes up the left hand sky line and is a classic and very popular route graded at AD+.

Richard on one of the many steep steps on the route.

 A great view of Mont Blanc showing the route we shall be following tomorrow.

Another interesting step.

Yet more fun climbing...

...and then an abseil down one of the many gendarmes.

Dave leading an awkward little move.

But it was slow going. We are caught behind a Latvian team of nine, all roped together and very very slow, but it was sociable and we learnt about Latvian politics. They might be facing a recession but their gear was brand spanking new and they had every bit of kit you could ever imagine.

This is the crux of the climb - without aid, about English 5a, but with a pull on a sling, quite a bit easier.

You finish the Cosmique Arete up a ladder leading to the Viewing Platform in the top left of the picture. It's a great way to acclimatise and is a lot of fun too.