The Journey Begins

Gear
Originally uploaded by darenpackham.

We had rented a very smart ‘Ford Galaxy’ van, for the trip and managed, with the alacrity of a team of Krypton Factor finalists, to arrange 6 large guys and all of their gear for a weeks climbing in the French Alps. Plus I might add a few slightly dodgy man bags as well.

The journey, like all good journeys began in the pub! Then progressed slowly to the ferry terminal, which was 5 minutes down the road.

Whoever was in the front seat, passed six passports over to the small bloke in the control booth. The bloke in the control booth, then proceeded to look, very slowly at all of the documents before allowing a second brave official to peer into the front window. He, I think was interested to see if we had indeed, managed the feat of packing 6 guys and their gear and a few man bags into this relatively small van. He then asked Cliff, if we had any sharp objects with us???!!

Cliff replied casually, “ I think we have a camping knife in the back somewhere.” Successfully negating to mention, the sharp wit that was developing and the 6 ice axes and six pairs of cramp-ons that were all stashed neatly somewhere in the back. (Cramp-ons ere not to be confused with Tampons! Tampons really are not sharp at all and would not do at all well when attached to climbing boots in the snow and ice)