UKC

I was climbing with Mo Anthoine and Tut Braithwaite came along with us intending to solo the climb. On the bivouac at the base Tut had the regulation tin of pork luncheon meat, while Mo and I had a roast chicken, prepared salad, salt, pepper and even sachets of salad cream ! Mo proceeded to gloat, as was his way, but Tut had the last laugh when Mo couldn't finish his half. Tut needed no second bidding to devour the remains of the chicken.
Next day Tut went like a greyhound, finished the north face, went up and down the Plan / Midi Arete and still made it down to Chamonix. In the meantime Mo and I just managed to complete the climb and bivouac on the summit!
I remember the precise date because it was Bastille Day and we had a great view of the fireworks in Chamonix.

Brilliant.

why cant we vote on this photo!! its brilliant...

hello young man i thought climbers in the 70tis lived on a shoostring. again fanfastic bit of history and a good photo regards brian

I'm not sure it cost any more than two tins of spam Brian - you just had to think of it.

Thanks deepstar and tomvet for the nice comments.

Fantastic story - the picture sums up the comfort of early 70s bivvy's. Although that looks like a high-end down jacket - Point Five?. I think I have one just like it although it was a second and still(!) sheds feathers at a prodigious rate

Thanks Peter - it was indeed a grand duvet, a Frendo I think, purchased from Snells in Chamonix for all of six pounds. Mo Anthoine picked it up for me as we were meeting later in Courmayer and I was driving round to save the tunnel fee.
Typically Mo decides to take my new duvet on his next climb and this turned out to be the multi - day epic with Richard McHardy on the Brenva Face. When I arrived at the campsite they were still missing, much to the concern of all, but they showed up a couple of days later. They were a little the worse for wear, as was my duvet !

Just stumbled across this Ian. My first thought was that it was René Desmaison!