Climbing High Read Online Free

his. Beneath he wore lighter clothing, knowing that by mid-day he’d be sweating and happy to shed a layer. From the quality of their backpacks and gear, he sorted out the experienced from the amateurs. It looked like a mixed bag.
    Intros were fast and noisy. Jake met a German couple, Sig and Gretta. Lara and Frankie greeted him in French. They seemed to be close friends without a sexual connection. The final man, Ernst, seemed out of type with the others. He had a few years on them, limited wear on his gear and seemed more determined to stick to Siree than to climb.
    They hopped into a seven seat minivan. Sig drove, inviting Jake to sit up front and go over the plan for the climb. It took forty minutes to wind their way to the base of the north face. Mont Blanc, the White Lady, towered above them. Though not their goal for the day, she made an impressive mark on the landscape. For this last climb of the summer they wanted a lesser peak, one that allowed for the free climbing they loved; with man and rock pitting themselves against each other.
    From the back seat, Lara and Frankie noisily lobbied to head for the Argentierre basin, an easy day climb of only one thousand metres. Sig, Gretta, and Siree held out for the peak called La Verte, with just as much volume. After a moment’s hesitation, Ernst agreed with Siree.
    “What’s your vote?” Sig asked Jake.
    Silence filled the vehicle.
    “La Verte. I came looking for a harder climb, but don’t know why it can’t serve both purposes. The early stage of either climb will be fairly easy and when the difficulty increases, those who want can turn back.”
    Like disturbed bats streaming from a cave, a cacophony of agreement exploded the silence.
    Dodging potholes and broken rock like a slalom skier, Sig drove the deteriorating road to the north side, parking the minivan in a scooped out lot at the base of the first incline. Darkness cloaked the valleys and fog draped the high peaks around them in silver veils. Inside the van they checked their maps, GPS, and went over the routes again. Then they clambered out to pull on their climbing shoes and spot check each other’s gear. A line of yellow outlined the awesome peaks to the east. They began to climb toward the sun.
    Sig took lead threading the jumble of large rocks and scree patches that made up the lower slope. With a quick look over her shoulder at Jake, Siree moved out with Gretta and Ernst vying for position behind her. Ernst pushed himself past Gretta. Jake felt embarrassed for the guy. His obvious interest in Siree looked to be one-sided. The corner of his mouth kicked up. At least Ernst got a little attention, while all he’d seen of her so far was her slender back.
    Fastening his helmet and securing his chalk bag to the strap of his pack, Jake took the rear behind Lara and Frankie and spent the next two hours of grey light helping them whenever possible, without making it obvious. Gutsy and determined, they moved methodically up the lower slopes. Their cautious approach relieved Jake, even though it forced a much slower pace on him. Switching to their native French, he asked casual questions that netted him a lot of information on Siree. She wouldn’t be able to hide from him at the end of the day, this time. It seemed she’d attended the University of Munich with Sig and Gretta to get her economics degree, taken her Master of Finance at the Sorbonne, where she’d become friends with Lara and Frankie; then finished her PhD in Finance at Rotman School in Toronto. He processed the fact she’d lived only miles from him for several years. Ernst, new to the group, just as he’d thought, had parleyed coffee with Siree at work into a request to join the climb. Lara grimaced when she made that comment. Jake winced inwardly, wondering if he’d been slotted in the same category and not liking the comparison. Dammit, I just wanted a good climb .
    “Whenever Siree comes to France on business she arranges a few extra