We had little money and the cost of travel by rail was not an option. We had given up our jobs and living for two weeks in Chamonix we new would be challenging. We didn't eat well and were glad to get a cheap meal on occasions when we were in the valley at the workers cafe on the M Blanc construction site. For much of the time we based ourselves at the Chalet Austria. The consequence of not having enough food was that on the longer routes we did our energy levels on the final pitches was low - in spite of being very fit.

Nice to see a Whillan's sac!

Yes it was mine and I think it had just arrived in the local shop. It cost me something short of £6. Getting personal kit and camping kit and my share of the climbing equipment into it was a big ask. I think they were perhaps 45 L capacity and Bills sack was about the same size.

Is the photo the correct way round?
He seems to be hitching on the wrong side of the road for Belgium.

great photo!

Love this - I have still got my Whillans sack.

photo could well be wrong way round, well spotted.

photo edited and now right I think