A Poppy below the Tour d'Aï, Leysin

This last week in July has been absolutely beautiful weather wise and a number of alpinism activities have been going on for us: visiting the ancient alpine botanical garden high above Leysin, rock climbing and hiking plus climbing peaks over 4000 m altitude in the Swiss Alps. Earlier, Phil Melchior from Wanaka was on his sixth visit in Europe for alpine climbing with chief Gaz and he kindly made this photo album available. They stayed at the historical mountaineering hotel Rosenlaui, then climbed up to the Dossenhut. This trip provided not only outstanding alpine trekking but also options of several ascents. Then, Gary was en route with teams from ISM, yesterday finishing with a via ferrata after having traversed the Weissmies at the beginning of the week, followed by the ascents of Allalinhorn and Nadelhorn. Also enjoying the best summer week so far, Iris went bird watching and admiring other fauna and flora as well as some social rock climbing with friends:

Anemone with lac d' Aï and village

These black mountain birds can learn to talk

Having fun on a rock climbing trip

Fabulous colors in the Swiss Alps

Fabulous lime stone near the Cascade Dar

Double check before climbing