Dwight Peck's personal website

Winter 2002-2003

Very eventful, but in a quiet way

As round the world some of them were trying in vain to convince the rest of us that it would be a fun idea to go bomb a lot of the folks down in Iraq, D. Peck and friends spent the fall and winter hiding out in the safest place they could think of.

Crêt de la Neuve in 2003

You may not find this interesting unless you're included here, so this is a good time for casual and random browsers to turn back before they get too caught up in the sweep and majesty of the proceedings and can't let go.

25 January 2003: Prof. Pirri sets out for the Crêt de la Neuve from Marchairuz on a beautiful day, with the other guy tagging along behind.

Straight up, as usual

Dr Pirri bushwhacking the forests of the Jura, with confidence.

He is guiding us to the Crêt de la Neuve, unerringly but by a roundabout route; but frankly, I think he's lost.

Meadows near La Neuve on a brilliant day, but, due to Dr Pirri's late rising on Saturdays, there's not enough time to make it to the Crêt de la Neuve today.

Mr Peck employs cajolery, ridicule, senseless bribes, and even blackmail to get Dr Pirri to continue to la Neuve, but no avail. Blackmail never works with Dr Pirri; the worst is well known already.

The beautiful meadows near La Neuve on 25 January 2003.

A last longing look, and then heading for home.

The route back on the Chemin des Crêtes

The unsuccessful 25 January expedition to Crêt de la Neuve was turned back by fine weather; we'll seek a later opportunity to conquer the summit.

In abject failure, this time, we'll start the whole thing over next week.

Starting from Longirod this time, and passing the Reguéla meadows, 2 February 2003

Dr Pirri setting a brisk pace

We're passing the farm at Les Frasses now, on schedule.

Les Frasses, with Geneva and the lake in the background

A little hut in the forest near Les Frasses

Now we're passing the farm at Petit Prés de Rolle on a very grey day

2 February 2003, the same two determined hikers assaulted the Crêt de la Neuve from below and here approach the top ridge.

Dr Pirri displays his legendary grit and determination by breaking trail onto the top ridge.

The true summit (the cross, left) and the false summit (the flag, right), with a tree in the middle.

A Pirri on Crêt de la Neuve in rapidly declining weather, early February 2003. The flag's in tatters again, alas.

A Pirri and a Peck on Crêt de la Neuve in . . . rapidly declining weather.

Hoods up

The summit cross, World Wetlands Day (2 February) 2003.

The Chemin des Crêtes from La Neuve, pointing towards St Cergue.

Acquaintance Joe descending through one of the gulleys off Crêt de la Neuve.

Hope springs eternal

Dr Pirri struggling with a stone wall in the trackless forest

OOOops. Down a hole goes Dr. Pirri.

The Earth tries to swallow Dr Pirri, but then reconsiders, and gags him back up again.

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Feedback and suggestions are welcome if positive, resented if negative, . All rights reserved, all wrongs avenged. Posted 26 March 2003, revised 12 October 2008, 9 September 2014.

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