White spider. The beckoning silence.

[Andre]

Wow, so you went up the face straight in the middle of the face thats shown in the film?

[Scrap]

Yes, its the Cima Grandi, tha was taken in winter. Its 2000 ft straight up, its got to be the most beutifull place in the World Northern Italy. Cortina has got to be the nicest Town Ive ever been, the views are Breathtaking.

[Andre]

So do you get to it from that snow capped ridge on the left?

[Scrap]

Theres a road half a mile away by the Hotel where the Bus stops . We camped by the lake on the front, first time I ever saw two Ibexs having a Fight, made a lot of noise

[Andre]

So do you walk across that ridge or come all the way up from very bottom in the lowest valley?

[Scrap]

Cortina is about 5 miles away, we caught the Bus. As I remember it stopped at the Refuge Hotel, which is on the South side takes 15 minutes which is handy to walk round the corner. Not like the Himalayas that takes 15 Days, which you need to acclimateties

[Andre]

My wife is asking half of these questions she is fasinated by the psyche behind mountain mountain climbing, shes got enough books on it.

Which is good she passes over the more exciting and readable stories to me to go through.
She must like crazy men shes in there watching bull riding laughing her head off at the moment. Oh crap, its just dawned on me, the attraction she originally had to me.

[Scrap]

Made it to the Hilary Step 600 from the top. Caught in a whiteout storm. It was something I wouldnt wish on anybody, Dug in for a day then came down, the Party in front was never seen again we were Lucky, its a different world above 27,000 ft and rather cold got to keep the liqiuds going in. If the wife can get Hold of the book on the 1st accent of the Frenny Pillar on Mt Blanc get it it will shock Her, think its Rebuffays account 6 got the chop on that Hair raising stuff forget the Title do a bit of checking. There was a lot of scandell after people throwing the blame about. To be Honest I havent read it but loads of people who have reccomend it, I just heard rumours from the climbing fraternaty at the time and it splitt the community of Climbing at the time. There was some strange storys doing the rounds.

[Andre]

Wow mate! fuk! Thats insane,

I watch and read alot of stuff on Everest too;(the stuff she recommends is a good read).
You really have faced the other side (in the death zone) and come out,an amazing life you have lead so far mate.
cheers,good health.

[Andre]

I dont know if this rings a bell : Would the book be:

Naked Before the Mountain · Pierre Mazeaud ?

[Scrap]

Thats the one, He was a complete Nutter, and the French defense minisrer I think. He caused a western type Punchup in a Bar in Chamionix with the English, He was trying to get off with my mates Girl and Fondling Her. All Hell broke loose with the French and the English, there was a few English lads there that night. We got cartered off to the Nick and charged with Fighting with the French minister of Defence, Fucking Hell fortunatly, a few Swiss were in the Bar and blamed Him. So we got off with it. But a complete Arsehole.

[Andre]

Ahh justice prevailed;

Who'd have thought; Bloody climbing tree frogs eh!

Just as well you never got to him personally in the bar you probably would of broke his jaw if it had come to it.