Did a solo hike from Chamonix town via Bel Lachat 
Chamonix is 1,035m above sea level, and Brevent is 2,500m so a 1,500m climb in 3.5 hours. Had some great views back over to Mont Blanc and Aiguille du midi. At the top a frenchman asked me if I thought the view was good - to which I had to reply between breathes that it will be good in 5 minutes.
Don't under estimate the effect of the altitude, it had me slowed right down from my normal pace on normal UK 800/900m altitude. I ran out of time to walk back down as in the afternoon I was going to do a via ferrata route with a group of friends. Good thing is I managed to blag my way down the lift without a ticket as you can't buy them at the top or the mid station .
The via ferrata at Passy was hard work, partly due to the slow speed of the group. Don't know how high up it was as I daren't look down properly, but it was a long way up and a long route. We were on it for about 3 hours apparently!
Then finished off next day with a walk from Plan de Aiguille over to mer du Glace and back down to Chamonix. Took the lift up to Plan de Aiguille as would have been too much for the group to do the whole thing. The 1,300m decent back to Chamonix was very hard on your knees - we are all out of practice, and heading towards / into middle age...
Great 3 days. Booked accomodation, transfer and paid activites through www.chamonixallyear.com - Jo and her team gave us fantastic support, advice and assistance - would strongly recommend them.
Would love to go back.
