Snow shoe outing Thursday 6 January 2023.
12.5km with 300m height difference
The second snowshoe outing of the season was aptly described as a winter wander with no one even dreaming that there might be snow. Ten of us (Robert Pashley, Richard Saynor, Mervyn Powell, Nicolas Ulmer, Peter Taylor, Mark Watts, Mark Warren, Mike Hempstead, Paul Sochaczewski and Mike Muller) and three dogs (Kobie, Onyx and Nessie) consequently met at the parking in the Place de la Gare, Divonne les Bains from where we set off on foot for the Mont Mussy.
The trail was straight forward and we overtook the jeudistes ladies from CERN at the Grande Source (and it was Grande with all the rain we’ve been having). The Mont Mussy (704m) is well known to most of us and no leading was required. We ascended the path now covered in damp leaves to the Ferme de Mont Mussy, which sadly has been closed as a restaurant for several years, and on through the woods to the summit of Mont Mourex at at 755m. The gods were kind to us as we had a blue sky with some cloud instead of the forecast rain. The views whether Jura or Alps were good but misty. All this augured well for a typical GIN pause with suitable beverages served with thanks to those who brought them. Entertainment was assured with the usual high intellectual conversation and the dogs chasing each other around the monolith.
With about 45 minutes to go before our restaurant reservation, we took a short cut through some thorny bushes to a main path which confounded some who turned left on it instead of right. Thereafter the group were error free and we walked fast on the well-trodden path to the restaurant, the Accord Parfait. Everyone took the menu du jour and the only complaint was that a better wine should have been chosen.
There were two options for the return to the carpark – five took the direct route via the Grande Source and five the longer route by the golf course. On arrival, the Scottish fluid was produced and enjoyed.
Thanks everyone – a most enjoyable day out. Various options are being considered for the next outing on 19 January depending on…snow.
Mark Warren
