GIN Hikers – June 11th 2026

Meteo Suisse did not disappoint and June 11th was a beautiful sunny morning, not too warm, perfect for a GIN hike. Our usual leader had exhausted himself with organisation of a university alumni extravaganza in Champery the weekend before so, when the usual notice of event did not appear, Stephen volunteered to step in to gather participants and devise a route for the fortnightly outing. Recent attendance at GIN events had been rather sparse due to the aging population taking advantage of pre-summer vacation breaks. So it was a bit of a surprise when the returns to the call for hikers saw an usually high positive response rate. In the event, 13 hikers appeared at the rendez-vous of the old station at Divonne, although the organiser had only initially counted 12 and was a little confused at the addition to make it a baker’s dozen (maybe he had forgotten to count himself? No, Mark 2Rs had somehow been left off the initial list).

Rudolph, a relative new-comer to the group, had not quite appreciated the approximation in most of the instructions and had positioned himself exactly at the old station, surprised when no-one else appeared. He soon realised that the people gathering a 100 metres away looked familiar. PeterST thought that the bike leader’s call to action must involve a bike and so rolled up (literally) on his bike. MikeH and Rocco also made an unexpected presence as dreams of a summer on the Med had been thwarted by his boat requiring undesired and excessive repairs. It was also good to see Bill again, returned from his annual USA retreat.

Anyway, all this is to say that a large compliment of GIN members gathered at the right time and right place eager for the gentle stroll promised up to the heights of Mont Mussy and Mont Mourex. This comprised:
Bill
Mark2Rs
Mark2Ts
MikeH + Rocco
Mervyn
Natham
PeterST
PeterT + Kobi
Ralph
RichardS
Rudolph
Stephen
Thatcher

Notably, the full newly-formed 240 club was present (Mark2Ts, RichardS, Mervyn) as was the relative youngster, PeterT, with a recently attained three-quarter century.

The wisdom of the usual hike leader questioned how a 4 km walk was going to occupy two and a half hours until lunch…but the man temporarily in charge had devised a plan: a spiral assault to the heights (hopefully not spiralling out of control). Initial direction was not promising. Trying to escape rapidly from the urban jungle the group was led directly towards a dead end but was happily saved by the man with local knowledge and belatedly acknowledged to be in the group: Mark2Rs. This had the added benefit of passing a little known local point of interest: a 4000 year old hexagonal astronomical stone, hardly noticeable in the modern Divonne, submerged in a grassy verge.

The spiralling begins

Mark led us onto the planned track which followed the base of Mount Mussy to Mourex overlooking the road between Divonne and Grilly when the foliage allowed. The group strung out as the path narrowed forming smaller sub-groups and allowing everyone to proceed at a comfortable speed. Frequent stops permitted reassembly. This group has sufficient medical experience to fill many tomes but once the usual update of ailments had passed our gentle meandering allowed conversations on a whole range of non-medical topics. At some point along this path RichardS let on that he was carrying more than his usual small bottle of surprises with sufficient celebratory champagne to satisfy the crowd once the summit was reached. We carried on up through Mourex on the road that the GIN Bikers fear due to its relentless steep incline up through the village and towards Mont Mourex.

Beautiful views to the Alps and observers

At the base of the final climb (and potential back relief for Richard) the leader consulted his watch and declared that there was more of the spiral to be covered. Happily, he ruled out the longer loop via Vesancy and proceeded on the upper path through the woods on the Jura side, circumnavigating further the Monts Mourex and Mussy. This path had some up and downs, allowing extra elevation to be added to the final statistics, and eventually emerged at a junction where the main track from the Ferme de Mont Mussy leads directly to the summits. By this stage the lack of our usual coffee stop was beginning to show on the hikers and there was a desire to rapidly complete the 1.2km to Mont Mourex and the promise of refreshments and our picnic lunches.

Old dogs on the way up through Mourex

Emerging from the woods into the open with the bright sunlight and stunning views was an almost religious experience for some. Their penance was soon to be rewarded with spiritual gain. Spiralling, or unspiralling, of a different sort was soon in progress as champagne cork wiring was unwound, corks removed with a spiral cork screw and screw top spirit bottles opened. The bench normally used for weary pilgrims was seconded as an impromptu bar. Birthdays were well celebrated and absent friends toasted with addition bubbly being found in PeterT’s backpack. In the middle of all this excitement and diversion of attention, Rocco seized the opportunity to nuzzle his way into Mervyn’s backpack and release goodies for himself. Despite the best efforts of experienced dog-handlers, Rocco was not easily deterred and it took some time before Mervyn’s tooth marked sandwiches were retrieved, almost intact. Happily the Côtes du Rhone Mervyn supplied added to the reduction of any potential rabies threat.

Two uses for the same bench

Ralph surpassed usual spirituality by offering a full bottle of the favourite Scottish tipple as well as a smaller sampler bottle of local kirsch from a neighbour…..all this in addition to Richard’s bottle of unusually acceptable brandy content. Not all was consumed but sufficient that the impact of increasing age coupled with food and especially alcohol was a recipe for uncontrollable siestas. As the years pass and the group ages the number of recumbent figures after lunch increases. This day was no exception.

What a view!

We’re not as young as we used to be…..

Eventually revived after a very satisfying lunch and rest, the group reformed ready for the unwinding spiral, initially towards Mourex but then turning anticlockwise to the direct return route on the lower wooded path on the Alps side of the mountain. This downhill section really separated the group as certain physical ailments are more difficult on the down than the up. By the time we were at the Ferme it was obvious that Ralph was in difficulty and that the cortisone treatment planned for the next day could not come quickly enough. He fairly rapidly agreed to await a pick up and had confidence that he would not be left stranded by the rest of the group. Richard kindly ensured that was the case.

The rest of us continued on the steepish downhill to the road and across by the Divonne Golf course and the Sources de la Divonne. This was flowing well but not flooded as had been seen on previous occasions. From here it was a short walk through the town, where one hiker took advantage of booking an economical haircut.

Farewells were said at the car park. Whilst some left for home a hard core decided that a visit to Charley’s Bar would be a more suitable ending….the retrieved Ralph being very much of that opinion. Mark2Ts generously supported this final fling.

The postscript to the walk was an evening email from Rudolph who had been relaxing in the shower after the hike only to find two ticks in close contact. It seems that siestas on the grass after lunch might have consequences…….

It was great to see so many GIN members out on an enjoyable walk in ideal conditions. What was scheduled as a gentle stroll was 15.5km and 420m climb (although other records may differ). In any case it was a good day’s exercise close to home….another confirmation of that great organisation called Gentlemen in Nyon.