International Meet, La Bérarde, France. Seven countries were represented at the meet, Great Britain, Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Turkey, Spain and the United States. The hospitality of the French Alpine Club was excellent, providing us with as much help, information, food and wine as we could possibly need. La Bérarde is a beautiful, remote town nestled in the Dauphiné Alps. Being an abnormally warm, dry summer prior to our arrival, the ice climbs were out of condition but the rock climbs were in reasonable shape. Although the weather consistently deteriorated during our stay, Kurt Winkler and I, representing the American Alpine Club, did two climbs. Our first was the northwest Pillar of the Dôme de Neige des Ecrins (TD, 1000 meters). In the last few days we did the Davis-Gervasutti route on the north face of the Ailefroide (D, 1050 meters). Referred to as the Walker Spur of the Dauphiné, technically easier though more serious, it has to rank as one of the finest climbs I have ever done.

Steven Larson