Sam, Richard and I completed the traverse of the 2nd highest peak in the Alps, the Dufoursptize, in good time (9 hours) from the Monte Rosa Hut.

Starting very early from the hut means an hour or so of rough, rocky ground must be endured to reach the glacier. The lower section of this was dry and complicated and friend and colleague, Dale, a large American Guide, ending up pulling 2 different people out of crevasses. Quite a 'full-on' start to the day!

Both physical and mental toughness are now required for the long hoof up the glacier but perseverance is rewarded by the delightful summit ridge. Airy and interesting, but never hard, this gives a fitting climax to such a grand summit. The views are superb with The Matterhorn and Mont Blanc standing proud to the West and attempt to pick out the different ranges, never mind individual summits to the East.

Courtesy of the Guides of Zermatt there is now a fully equipped descent from the summit ridge down to the 'Silver Saddle' (col between the Dufourspitze and Nordend) allowing a small traverse of the summit pyramid to be completed. From the 'Silbersattel' an out and back ascent of Nordend can be made to bag another fine summit....but we descended back to the hut for Rosti and Appel strudel.