(First Snowshoe led by our new SS Leader Rob Ed.)
It was a classic opening to the Snowshoe season. Only a little snow, the traditional hike to Le Vermeilley, a fun group and excellent fondue / croute . Twelve hardy souls and two dogs met at La Givrine braced themselves with extra layers but all agreed to leave their snowshoe equipment at home.
Rob the organizer in chief was joined by Mark W, Stephen, Ralph, Nicolas, David, Mervyn,Bill, Nathan, RichardS, RichardW and PeterT.
We started off with a planned route, but only 20 meters in we veered onto a new and exciting direction following the ski de fond sign posts towards the back end of La Genoliere. Nathan took over temporary leadership. Not sure if anyone noticed as there was lots of chat going on, although it was indeed a better path. As we got closer to the turnoff PeterT had a new suggestion and we ventured on a new route towards the backend of the Cabane Rochefort.
With more of a climb and better views and it added to the planned distance. Once again, I am not sure anyone noticed the deviation from the plan as there were no complaints, unusual with PeterTˋs unplanned deviations. The dogs enjoyed it.
The whole crew was pleasantly surprised that when we arrived at the Cabane Rochefort, where we stopped briefly to take in the panoramic view of the lake and the Alps, Stephen offered everyone not one, but two glasses of Champagne in celebration of, as he described it as, a big birthday. Twenty-one or something like that? We chatted as we ate nibbles and chewing on the important topics of the day while wishing Stephen many happy returns. Truly a merry interlude enjoyed by all.
We made our way to La Vermeilley after picking up the pieces of our abstinence breaking interlude, and Stephen was more than pleased that his backpack was a lot lighter.
There was a bit of a climb and a short hike through the forest after which we arrived in La Vermeilley and the promise of fondue and something to quench our thirst. That champagne seemed to bring on a thirst.
With a big log fire, good food and the odd glass of wine and beer it met all of our expectations. Two other tables were occupied and all were merry, including six well behaved dogs.
The fondue seemed spiked with some Bohemian rhapsody, or so it was claimed, but we managed to calm down and enjoyed some excellent tarts (of the desert kind) with flavoured coffee. All was good on the Jura.
It was a straight hike back down to the car park all as per the original plan; no deviations. A fine day was had by all.
The stats
Distance: 11,7km
Total Ascent: 328 m