A magnificent crew of 7 again turned out for this purported jaunt into the French Jura starting at W3W magnolias.upends.decorators . Attending : Mark Watts, Stephen, Richard, David, Philip, Mike and Peter T. Shorts were 3:4, but soon were 5:2 as Richard soon rolled up his leggings and David unzipped his.
The leader (PT) had already spotted a flaw in his original plan to hike up the Pas de l’Echine to the Colomby de Gex. The top of the gully was still filled with snow – as seen from Coppet. So, the leader optimistically asked others if they would be up for a longer circuit of the Creux de l’Envers, anti-clockwise. Most seemed to acquiesce, at least agreeing that it avoided an otherwise up and back the same way, but little realising that this circuit would mean some 19.5km and 1270m of denivellation (there being 300m of extra down involved).
Accordingly we all set off downhill in sinking but high spirits from point 728 (it was 711 to me Ed.) (magnolias.upends.decoratos) marked on this map, in a general NW direction aiming to reach the pass left of Petit Mt Rond via the path (on better maps) called La Vie de Chaux. The Life of Lime. It was quite a haul wending up through the beautiful forest with occasional views back across the deepening Creux.
After various traverses we eventually we reached the limelight and the line of the Life of Lime in regimental order (ie Stephen ahead). The crux involves a long diagonal upward traverse of a steep smooth grassy/rocky slope, thankfully the path is good and the going was dry underfoot. Do not slip on this path. Several chamois were spotted at this point (and many more later).
The team assembled at the top believing that the worst was over. The breeze here was noticeable and we donned fibre piles for the traverse across to Mt Rond (the Grand).
Shortly above this pass Richard spotted the location of his award winning shot of Stephen in winter on a wave of snow, the Wave. Duly they shot Wave 2.
The enormity of the task that lay ahead began to sink in to some as we tackled the ascent of Mt Grand Rond, that seemed like Mt Grind. Accordingly some ravitaillement was needed at the top and a check was made as to timing. Clearly we were going to miss the scheduled 4pm bath, and my 6pm AGM in Geneva looked iffy. Others had 5pm Grandkids on their agendas. Oh well..
There was no way for it but to press on; a retreat down the Lime was unthinkable as was retreat generally. So the leader rallied the troops to get agreement to delay lunch to 13.45 when we would be more within striking distance of the final CdG summit. On we went on distressingly Nepali flat territory. Finally, sensing mutiny, a halt was called on a lesser summit on the ridge and a bottle of Gigondas appeared and was uncorked and passed around for sustenance. There followed an Italian red. Lunch in the sun on a fabulous ridge with views across Lac Leman to the alps one way, and across green forests stretching into France profonde the other. Subjects discussed did not include Scottish independence. Boris was mentioned as were Indian variants. Medication was taken as needed.
The leader realised the need to plod on and entered a steady trod across past the snow filled gully of the original intended line and up to the glittering summit of the CdG (1687 – nb. 10m higher than La Dole).
Arriving atop the Colomby de Gex was an exhausted but jubilant party. Accordingly Slivovitz (72% proof) was provided. As well as some (chilled) white wine from Mark. Duly stunned it was time to face the knee grinding descent down into the combe of the Chet de Branveau, wherein we spotted a large herd of chamois.
There followed the long strait stony track back down to the cars, where we arrived somewhat 2 hours and more overdue, and with some in need of medication (sugar).
The leader apologises for pain, misery and perturbation caused. But hopes that these negatives will eventually be surpassed by the memory of a fine day out on the hills of the French Jura. May there be many more.
PS – Well done Philip for busting through his 830m training regimen after his operation.
PPS Apologies from Mark, Rob, Thatcher, Mervyn, Richard Wiley, Peter Drew and others.
