Mervyn had organised a challenging 3-day circuit anticlock-wise of the Dents-du-Midi starting at 1600m at Chindonne, an Auberge above the Valais. Eight of us gathered on the Tuesday 17 Sept, in promising weather, at 8 am, five of us had spent the night at Chindonne (some slept better than others).
Mervyn had assembled a crack sauntering team. Sadly missed were our hiking leader David C, Thatcher and Mark W1, Mark W2, and Peter D. In all then we were; Mervyn Powell, Philip Jenkins, Steve Long, Frank Ekman, Robert Pashley (Treasurer and keeper of the purse), Richard Saynor, and Peter Taylor. 46 km and 2600 m denivellation were promised, but I think the deni was higher, especially for three of us who ascended the Haute Cime.
Day 1 comprised a long traverse along the N side of the DdM, ascending and descending quite a bit (Nepali Flat). The path was narrow in places, some fine bridges were passed, the Dents loomed high above us, the views were sublime and the company was clearly in fine spirit. A chamois was spotted close to the path. Spirits were not dampened (much) by the surprise that the lunch-spot eatery was closed. As we descended in hot sun before the final 500m climb to the Susanfe Hut, Frank decided (wisely) that he had done enough and retired with dignity towards Champery and home. That final climb was impressive and quite tough involving narrow ledges and chains. An exhausted crew of 7 slumped into chairs at the hut at 2100m with welcome beers and a trio of sheep-dog puppies to play with, before a fine meal of soup, spaghetti carbonara and a dessert, washed down with some decent red wine that our Treasurer (as always) assured us we had the funds for. We toasted absent friends. Pass the Pig was played and Steve scored a big zero, Jeremy and Mervyn winning the rounds, but Richard scored highest in total.
Day 2. An early start after a good breakfast gave us access to the desolate Col de Susanfe some 400m above the hut in partial sun. Here the team split with 3 electing to try the ascent of Haut Cime up 765m to 3257m. The saner 4/7ths descended to the hut planned for that night, the Auberge de Salanfe at 1900m where they tucked into a large lunch (despite having packed lunches from the previous Cabane) and telephoto’d the HC team on the summit. The HC team had struggled up the steep, loose and seemingly precarious trail to the top for spectacular views and the spotting of a bird unkown to Philip. The descent was not as bad as we expected it to be and we met a biker hiking to the top with his machine. Meanwhile the Auberge team spent the afternoon at the arsenic mines, wondering what use the arsenic was mined for. They also played trains and speleo’d the mine a bit. After beer and hot showers we sat down a feast of pork and pasta, washed down with some excellent wine our Treasurer payed for. Pass the Pig was won by Grand-Hog Rob, winning both rounds, the second in one turn.
Day 3. Morning before dawn, the fog was dark and dank and we set off up to the Col de Jorat 400m above. We caught glimpses of fabulous views through the spilling fog, out across the cloud blanket of the Valais, and up to the sunlit soaring towers of the Dents. An endless switchback path 1100m down to Mex challenged our limbs, but the coffee and tart we took there compensated somewhat. Oddly we were ahead of schedule, this had not been a day of pure sauntering. Too early for lunch we set off on a 3 hour and 600 m hike up back to Chindonne. Peter forsook the short-cut (for a change) but one member took it. Congratulatory beers were taken before a fine lunch provided by Edward the friendly American owner of the Chindonne Auberge. Thanks to Mervyn for organising impeccably, to Rob for keeping our finances regular and to all for their fun and good company.
Photos with more to follow from the team
Peter’s iPhone : https://photos.app.goo.gl/scsF2ANn9sq7bC1u5
Richard’s photo selection : https://photos.app.goo.gl/sD8XJVhcfb3HrYAc9
