Eleven hikers (Andrew, Bill, Mark 2Rs, Mervyn, Nathan, Ralph, Richard, Stephen, Peter Solomon, Peter T with Kobie and Peter S as leader) met at the parking lot at the entrance to Vaulion (932m) a little after 9:30am.
The forecast for the day was sunny and hot with a high of 29 degrees. The trail started on the south side of Le Nozon stream then crossed the road to begin the ascent on the east side of the Dent de Vaulion.
After crossing a field, the path (marked by orange dots) entered the woods and up a steep incline with some unusually big steps.
Exiting the forest the hikers adopted Kobie’s strategy of hurrying over sun exposed areas to reach the next patch of shade for a water break.
A large Norway spruce provided some relief and an opportunity for Mark to take a photo of the “shady group”.
After successfully crossing an enclosed meadow marked “Taureau!” the group clambered up a steep section of rocks to reach the top of the Dent de Vaulion (1483m).
Mervyn brought out a bottle of chilled Chardonnay to better appreciate the 360 degrees view over 4, or was it five, lakes (Lac Leman, Lac de Neuchatel, Lac de Joux, Lac Brenet and ?).
There was a short descent to reach the Chalet de Dent de Vaulion for lunch under a partially functioning umbrella. The much-awaited glasses of Boxer pression were graciously passed down the table only to find out that it would take a while for the next round to arrive. This practice soon stopped when the croute aux champignons, pates du chef and mixed salads arrived. The dessert menu included ´tartes du jour’ (abricots au pommes) which were enjoyed with coffee.
The route down went past Cabane de Orny II SAC and tracked back below the Dent de Vaulion.
Although somewhat more in the shade, this path included an unwelcome incline before reaching the track down the ridge on the east side of the Dent.
Kobie and Stephen enjoyed the spring water in the only water trough along the hot and sunny descent.
A sweat drenched group of hikers and one panting dog reached the car park around 4:15pm to complete a hike of 14km, 680m denivele with a hiking time ~4.5 hours.