Over the glaciers

In the middle of hot summer it's best to go where it's really cold: up the high mountains. And that's exactly what we did.

Day 1

A week's trip to the Italian Alps starts, where else, in French Chamonix.

Our usual "Hello Chamonix" spot - Elevation 1904.

Chamonix is one of those places where you get all these crazy ideas about trail running, ultras and other silly stuff.

Hers and his.

Night in La Chaumière Mountain Lodge.

Photograph: La Chaumière Mountain Lodge.

Day 2

Téléphérique from Chamonix up to Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m).

Getting ready for our hike.

Walking down onto Glacier du Géant and heading towards Pointe Helbronner (3,462 m).

Cosmiques Mont Blanc base camp.

The views!

The crevasses!

All tied up and badass.

More crevasses.

Made it to the other side - Pointe Helbronner (3,462 m).

Setting out from this side would be scary.

Rifugio Torino.

Torino hut. Photograph: Tiia Monto.

View from our room window - Mont Blanc in all its glory.

Also on our to-do list.

Early next morning.

Descend to Courmayeur starts with 228 stairs down.

View from Punta Helbronner to Rifugio Torino. Photograph: Rufus46.

Next step - Italy and Gran Paradiso!