Voie Lesueur - Purgatory in the Poubelle
Under the cover of darkness George and I sprinted through the deserted streets of Chamonix. Sticking to the shadows, big boots clomping on the tarmac, I felt like an off brand spy in a knock off film trying to sneak through an enemy stronghold. It was 4 am in the early months of 2020 and lockdown had just been brought in across the country. We had decided however, that the weather was too good to ignore and that the North face of Les Dru was our nearest objective. Walking up the mountain path we jumped at every shadow, convincing ourselves the Gendarmes were hiding around every corner waiting to fine us. By the time we reached the Montenvers station we had managed to talk ourselves out of it – we didn’t want to be made an example of. I could see the headline with our faces underneath: “Arrogant Brits flout Covid lockdown to climb Dru North Face”. Thus we hurried back down to avoid getting caught on the street without an excuse before curfew was lifted. Spring 2021. Althoug...
