Ramblings of a Deltiologist

I found this photograph at the weekend. I am not sure exactly when it was taken, but I know these people were in Pontresind, a beautiful part of Switzerland called Graubunden. I have a strong feeling this is the glacier I walked down about six years ago. I also looked like the lady in the middle after that trek of fear! On the back is written: Mr Mrs Watson Joan and Paul Watson Mr Phelps Mr Lawrence Hans Grasse I have no idea who these people are, but I will endeavor to find out more about them.

My recent discovery of the old photograph of alpinists made me dig out one of the first postcards I ever picked up from the 10p box. I was instantly attracted to the man looking at the glacier with his hands behind his back; he looks so small next to the immense block of ice which has sat there for millions of years. I wonder if he is dreaming of roesti and wurst or how amazing mother nature is. I started investigating this glacier as I was intrigued to see if it still existed. I remember climbing up some precarious wooden stairs to see a small, crystal-blue glacier in Switzerland about 9 years ago and then reading some years later how it had disappeared. It is a strange feeling to know a glacier that existed for so long has now melted away.  Anyhow, I am glad to say this one is doing well.

I found this lovely photograph / postcard at the last fair. It shows a lady named Ruth while she was in Switzerland in 1914. She caught a nasty chill on the journey home, but somehow I think it was most likely caused by to her knitwear. I must say that Ruth looks wonderfully composed and her hat is rather smart. She is wearing good boots, which I will talk about at a later date. I found this lovely design in the Internet of what would have been considered the height of mountain fashion about 6 years later. Somehow I think the knitwear would have been a trifle warmer. I have yet to find a postcard / photograph of anyone managing to look quite this chic up a mountain.

Went on fascinating excursion to Grindelwald and went on the upper glacier in much the same way as you see here. We were roped up with guides (5 on my rope - I was the last - shall have a photo to bring home) and then started to cross which took 35 minutes. We traversed mountains and valleys of ice and negotiated some of the smaller crevices. I wish some of you could have been to enjoy it with me. Although I have  always met plenty of people on these trips it is not quite the same thing as being with one's own people. Still I am having the time of my life. Yours [illegible name] Arolla, 7th August 1910 M.D.F. I expect you will recognise this. Usual route goes across slab to the right of [illegible - maybe west?] figure. Have managed a fair amount here in spite of bad weather, which kept us from Dent Blanche and Bouquetins. With two guides, five of us traversed Za coming down the steep west face in a heavy snow and thunderstorm. Without guides we did Pijne, traverse of Mount Collen,...

Just picked up my second 'old' book on climbing. 'Kamet Conquered' (1932) by F.S. Smythe documents his expedition and contains a wonderful appendices which includes a section on photography and cinematography, food, and clothing. I am so annoyed I cannot find any footage from this trip as I know he made a film about it - must be in the BFI archives. A contemporary of Dorothy Pilley, he sadly died in 1949 of malaria. As I hunt this wild goose, here is some alpine footage I found which was shot in the 1920s.