Author: Peter Taylor

The forecast for Thursday 1 October looked wet, our first rain since 9 September. Being unused to wetness I emailed around to see if members agreed to a change to Friday when it looked to be a bit dryer. Sadly some could make only Thursday for which apologies. Mervyn and Andrew agreed and the three of us set off from the parking above La Rippe, with Kobie in tow. Quite a number of apologies and excuses came in (mostly valid and thanks to all for every one) and we missed you all.

My plan was a mainly forested hike starting to ascend sharply from the parking at 620m trending up the French border in the forest to the Faoug plateau then crossing and topping out at 1285m at the field of La Gerle. The descent would be meandering and easier on the knees.

The conditions underfoot were extremely dry despite the mild rains of the day before. I mentioned to Andrew that we would reach Level 2 (at 770m) of Kobie’s regular hike around the Petite Côte, but when suddenly it got steeper as we turned S to the French border he commented “well I didn’t know that we would be moving on so soon from Level 2 to Level 5”. I told him not to worry as the border(line) path would soon reach Level 8.

The border path rises steadily until it reaches the Level 8 steepness gradient.

Happily the trail becomes easier and rises steadily through dappled forest on the French side of the border. After rising 440m, at about 2/3rds height (in just about an hour), we stopped for some hot coffee (and of course milk) that Mervyn had kindly carried up. This was a real pleasure because in another 30 minutes or so we were to have another coffee break, this time cold coffee from the Volg in Founex.

Most of the hard upward graft now done, we can relax a bit.

On up we went.

As we levelled off we heard cowbells in the field to our right at Combe de la Faoug, and we passed through the herd with only a slight commotion until they began to follow us closely. Were they following us because of Kobie (who does not care for cows) or because of Mervyn’s red jersey? I for one will celebrate when all the beasts are down from the hills for winter (see lunch comments below) and the electric and barbed wire fences are removed.

It was not long before we crossed the mountain road (of bike fame) and moved up through the woods to the top of our hike at La Gerle 1285m, where the iced coffee was taken. This was the place that Kobie had found two cow legs (L and R) lying around some 2 years back, evidence of wolves.

The cloud had come in and it had got a little cooler. The trail heads down across this open field, thence into the very green and pleasant woods of Combe de la Joie, named the Bois Badis d’en Bas.

Within 40 minutes or so we were down at the lunch spot at the P’tit Bard at 1060m, occupying the picnic table on the decking constructed by Daniel Lüthi of La Rippe in 2003. We arrived at 12.40pm.

Mervyn extracted a bottle of Swiss red from his sack which helped to stop me from choking on my wrap from the Volg, and Kobie enjoyed some French sausage. We had a good chat for 20 minutes or so, remembering to toast absent friends (of which there were many).

The views today were much less limited than in August, but we did get to see Mt Blanc in the sun, in between two layers of stratus cloud.

The friendly and garullous lady biker entertained us for a while until all of a sudden a white flat-bed truck arrived and two famers jumped out and joined us at the picnic table with a bottle of chilled white wine! Only one of them seemed to be drinking and it became clear that they were heavily involved in the des-Alpes of the local herds (hurrah!). There are still several thousand head up there, coming down over the next few weeks.

After much French banter it was time for us to pack up and descend, starting on the road for one zig and one zag, before heading off into the leaf again for the meandering forested route back to the cars.

A fine walk which I have done quite a number of times solo with Kobie. It was nice to have GIN company along with two (!) coffee breaks and a proper sit down picnic meal with a glass or two of red with no choking, topped off with French banter. My knees seemed OK too afterwards. I hope Mervyn and Andrew were OK too. Kobie did not need his normal evening walk in the Founex vineyards. I was home in good time to collect my car from AMAG after a dent repair.

12.5km and 715m.

Next hike – I’m away in the Auvergne – thanks to Nathan’s advice – so I will cast about for a leader on 15 October.

The last time that GinClub hiked the Noirement was on 21 Nov 2021. Rob wrote that Blog as he led the hike. But after a slip he also tried out the local helicopter rescue service Rega, which, as this was so effective, we all promptly joined up to.

This outing was likely to prove less problematic as the weather had been dry for ages, and the forecast was for sun with slight cloud later.

Six of us signed up and, after a detour via Arzier as the St Cergue main road was closed, we assembled at the (free) parking now available near La Cure (at 1190m) at the sad old site of Chez Mamac, still a derelict fire ruin. (See photo and postscript (below) of a ChatGPT summary of what happened).

Attending :-

Nathan, Andrew, Mark2ts, Mervyn, PeterSt and me with Kobie.

There were many apologies and some notifications of absence (the latter being without apologies..).

We set off in good cheer, already cutting 600m and 30m of denivellation from our hike.

We followed the Sentier 125 path taking the straight-on route to the farm at Les Coppettes. Our intention was to make an anticlockwise circuit of the Noirement as recommended by Nathan as a pleasant alternative to the more normal clockwise. In an hour or so we were up at L’Arzière farmstead (1445m) after a very pleasant stroll up the wide grassy valley.

There were many herds of cows about, with electric fences, and some very clean looking pigs. As we got to the end of the fence in the field in the picture above we realised that we were on the wrong side of it, i.e. of two electric fences and a wall.

The solution was to be found in the forest at the end and by some jiggery pokery we were soon back on track. This trail leads for another 2 km through a pleasant valley to a left turn before the Crêt des Danses leading down round the north side of the Creux de Croue.

At point 1370m below the ridge leading up to the Noirement, at 12.46pm, a non-vote decision was taken to delay lunch until we were up on top, 45 minutes away per the sign. This I believe was the ridge upon which Rob came a cropper descending in 2021. Today it was dry and fairly steady 180m climb up to the top at 1547m where we took lunch. This top is not the actual Noirement top which is another 1km south, but it has splendid views all around including down to Lac des Rousses, and we were all hungry. We were pleased not to have stopped earlier, to have had to climb the ridge after lunch would have been unpleasant.

During our lunch we heard a dog barking. It came closer and soon we saw a large white Swiss guard dog who had come over to warn us away. He judged us (including Kobie) to be mostly harmless, as he soon went back to his flock, abiding the slopes nearby. Mark’s coffee went down well with Mervyn’s milk. After lunch we passed right by the flock and Kobie went over to pay his respects to the guard dog, who remained on friendly terms with Kobie and us.

The way home took in the Noirement top (1567m) itself, which Andrew and I missed via a slight detour to the right. It was on that path that my right foot slipped forward and I went down with my left foot underneath me and a shooting ligament pain came from my left knee. This has happened twice before in recent years, and it does not help that my knees are also wearing out on the inside. I hobbled on (and still do), taking on a painkiller.

There remained a very pleasant (if you ignore knee pain) descent back down through the forest still on Rte 125 turning back along the grass path to Mamac in the hazy sun.

A fine hike in fine conditions with a fine lunch and a fine group of Gintlemen. Kobie behaved well, apart from at lunch perhaps, and we departed for home with memories of a super day out.

13.5km and 659m denivellation.

What happened at Mamac

• The fire occurred during the night of Monday 27–Tuesday 28 January 2025.
• The restaurant was deliberately set on fire by its owner/operator, who was alone in the adjoining family accommodation at the time.
• He subsequently left the scene and went towards his other establishment, Le Vermeilley, where police later found and arrested him.
• He admitted to the police that he had started the fire. The restaurant was severely damaged and effectively destroyed. 
• According to his lawyer, there was apparently no financial problem: Chez Mamac had been doing good business.
• His lawyer described what happened as a “coup de folie” during a period of profound distress, saying that the restaurateur had been under considerable stress and fatigue and had recently lost both his home and his place of work.
• He reportedly expressed considerable remorse and said he cared deeply about the restaurant. 
• He had no previous criminal record, according to his lawyer, and was released after questioning. He was subsequently hospitalised, while Le Vermeilley reopened shortly afterwards.
• The family subsequently announced the permanent closure of Chez Mamac. 

The restaurant is indeed now listed as permanently closed, and the tourism office also records Chez Mamac at La Cure as closed. 

The forecast for Thursday 20th had been for continuous rain, but then it changed to something much more benign, so I sent out a late flyer hoping for a response. And it came from stalwart hiker Nathan.

Sadly Ralph responded that his father had just passed away yesterday aged 95. I sent our condolences. With apologies also from Mervyn, Stephen, Mark2rs, Chris and RichardS, this was to be a smallish party, typical of mid-August.

Altogether then and including visiting UK climbing chum from the 1970’s, Alick, and of course Kobie a team of 4 started out from the parking just above Bursins (515m), at the north end of the Sentier des Chataigneurs.

My plan was a clockwise ascent to 880m on the ridge that surrounds the Combe de Bursins, taking in the Pierre à Mille Trous, and coming down the long trail that takes in the Golettes (Schooners) Hut for a picnic lunch.

We commenced in a SW direction along the chestnutters path with a couple of short sharp descents before ascending up to the road that leads to Burtigny (of bikers descent fame). A short section in the field by the road leads to the woods again and the steep section where David Colledge hurt his knee a cuple of years back. We arrived at the ridge top with fine views open open fields, a fox visible lurking on the skyline, and two comfy chairs for my comrades where we took on some restoration. The view from here back to the Jet d’Eau and the whole Jura chain is magnificent.

Suitably refreshed we passed in a N direction on up the path of the erratics dropped by the Rhône Glacier 20,000+ years ago, with the Thousand Hole Stone to admire. See (but don’t open the additional link to an itineraire) :-

https://www.visinand.ch/Blocs_erratiques/Vaud/Burtigny-Pierre_a_mille_trous/Burtigny-Pierre_a_mille_trous.htm#google_vignette

The trail then dives into the woods and for over 2 kilometers crests the scarp overlooking the combes on the right and with another couple of vertical erratics at a covert meeting spot. Passing by the tree trunk with ornaments and gifted trinkets, and the lone chair, it was not long before the hidden link to the descent path that starts just W of Prés Martines. This is an old and underused trail and partly on a disused bike path getting down to the road head at 761m where a small road comes up from Gilly. It was here that the only rain of the day began to fall.

We turned right and started of up the trail that meaders down though beautiful forest towards our lunch spot at the Golettes Hut. The rain soon eased.

We arrived at the Golettes hut just after 1.15pm and ready for our picnic. This would be a good place for a large scale celebratory event.

A bottle of Gerwurtztraminer helped the conversation flow and we covered quite a bit of the world’s problems as well as a few of our own, recognising of course how lucky we are. We toasted absent friends especially Ralph. Nathan enjoyed a particularly exotic and expensive roll, while my Volg wrap did not choke me as we had fluids to sluice it down.

There remained a short descent along the road, then recrossing the Burtigny Road again and down steep steps to the very slippery-when-wet Japanese Bridge over the ornamental lake.

Altogether 10km and 460m (albeit my watch read 560m ??), and enjoyable short hike in beautiful low forest, with some good views to boot.

It had been hot for days and days and the forecast for Thursday was for a 35C day in Founex. It was therefore unsurprising that a large number of not unreasonable excuses, alibis, pretexts, and aoplogia flooded my inbox just before this planned outing. We missed you all.

In the event there were only 3 of us as I wrote to Nathan and Mervyn:-

“Just the 3 of us and Kobie have signed up. 

Suggest we meet early at Mervyn’s. 

From there I’ll drive us all to Trelex for an assault on the Vieux Chateau via Beatrix at St Cergue. 

Is 8 am ok ?

Suggest we take a picnic lunch – which – if you skip or reduce breakfast – we could have as a brunch. 

There is a coffee stop too!

Train back down to Givrins. “

Subsequently Nathan proposed an earlier start and it was at 7.15 am on a bright and cloudless canicule morning that we assembled at Mervyn’s.

From the normal “Trelex” parking for Dogging (600m) we left at 7.43am and passing the Lac of Frogs (where Kobie takes his normal dip) we entered the shelter of the forest for the fairly direct ascent up to St Cergue. The temperature was still quite pleasant.

Indeed we arrived in fair shape at the Hotel La Pointe du Jour (1015m), on the main road (currently closed to up traffic) just before St Cergue, at 9am exactly. This was an eatery of old days – my last had been 20 years ago for a pizza after night skiing at St Cergue (Chf 35 all in). The friendly innkeeper came out with a water bowl for Kobie and we took on croissants and coffee under sunshades on the rather fabulous terrace. I took time to read out the apologia.

From here the path onward miraculously appears behind bushes over the road directly opposite the hotel (thanks to Ross for showing me this prior to a recce that I did a few days before) and it turns up through the forest reaching the Balade Béatrix. This is a small and quite precipitous path that skirts under the overhanging cliff that guards the summit (1130m).

There is a long and rather tiresome tale (in French) of the legend of Béatrix and what went on in the middle ages before the destruction the Vieux Château. That château must have indeed had a magnificent location atop the hill above St Cergue.

“Le sentier de la « Ballade à Béatrix » est jalonné de 16 panneaux récitant les étapes de la Chronique de St-Cergue. Celle-ci fut écrite par Frédéric-Jacques-Louis Rilliet (1794 – 1856) après qu’il eût effectué un séjour à St-Cergue à une date qui n’est pas établie précisément. Il raconte avoir reçu d’un vieillard du village un vieux meuble, seul vestige du château, qui contenait un ancien parchemin dont cette chronique a été extraite. Elle relate le dernier épisode de la vie du château de St-Cergue qui fut démoli durant les guerres de Bourgogne. Si les personnages de ce roman sont imaginaires, à l’exception du Duc de Bourgogne Charles le Téméraire et des Ducs de Savoie, le contexte politique, militaire et géographique, quant à lui, s’inspire de faits historiques. Nous espérons que l’humanisme des personnages de cette légende st-cerguoise vous rendra les personnages proches et sympathiques.”

Skipping reading the 16 panels we took a short cut and landed on top at 10am facing the rather wonderful panorama over Lac Leman to the alps from the panoply of grassy picnic areas. We took shelter from the sun under a substantial picnic shelter. It was of course a little early for our own picnic lunch, but we did take a nibble and took on more liquid, also wetting Kobie on his back.

Aiming to catch the 10.37 train from St Cergue we were soon down in the air-conditioned comfort of the NStCM carriage from which we alighted in the growing heat in Givrins.

Kobie took a bath in the water tank there and we were soon down and back up to the car, reaching Mervyn’s for beers and our picnics, at noon.

At hot one. Mad dog and Englishmen with a Yank, not out but home just before the midday sun.

7.5km and 640m ascent. Good idea to get out early. Thanks Mervyn for the coffee and beer.

This week saw a heat wave that really started to sap energies so it was not surprising, also given the number of members travelling in far off places, that only three and a dog turned out for this hike. Here is the flyer :-

“It will be hot this Thursday, so I am planning high and shaded, and beer at the Barillette. Maybe 400m – 500m up and not arduous except for the heat. The walk will be Taylored to the attendees. 
And we shall have a picnic after the beer, a little higher up.
 Meet at 9.30 at Divonne or at 10 am at St Cergue parking lot (W3W ///outer.dupe visits) at 10 am. (Note – this is 50m down the second road on the left entering and just before the roundabout in St Cergue, after ascending the hill from the Nyon exit. It is NOT Tancouez.)
Bring a picnic and water and sun gear.”

Attending : Nathan, Chris, Kobie and me.

Apologies : Mervyn (sipping Liffy water), Richard, David, Markrrs and Philip (keeping powder and foreheads dry), PeterSt (in the big hills), Marktts (in west Wales), Rudolf (sidetracked by the Walking Group scheduling), Rudi (golf), Thatcher (sailing the Cyclades), Ross (repatriation admin), etc etc.

The road up to (but not down from) St Cergue was closed and we had to deviate up through Arzier but we arrived shortly after 10am with heat beginning to build. The higher 1040m start point reduced the heat level a bit, and the final denivellation a lot.

Perhaps because of this heat we had to halt after only one minute because Chris’s left hiking boot came apart when the heel-sole came unstuck. He went back for his trainers. Nathan recommended the boot repair shop in La Combe and I can endorse this.

We set off again up the Beatrix trail turning right to ascend beneath the ruins of the Vieux Château and up past Guinfard, through the Bois de Guinfard. Nathan was keen to keep right but we kept left to the ridge and actually later descended down Nathan’s path.

Although the sun was high, there was a nice cooling breeze from the north, not quite a Bise but almost and the temperature was very pleasant all day.

The sun blazed down on us as we headed up the final stony slope towards the Barillette restaurant, which was open and not crowded on the terrace, and we were appointed a semi-shaded table for a most welcome beer – thanks Nathan for the beer!

With Kobie chomping on a meaty chew, splendid cold beer and good company, fabulous views across to the Alps, the question could have been asked, is this as good as it gets?

A decision was made to eat our picnics at the outside table at the Chalet des Apprentis, and we charted a course on the main trail avoiding the steep drop to the Bent Tree. Sadly however the outside table must have been inside, so we ate our lunch on a bench in the porch with superb views across the cliff face of La Dôle.

Fortified by a small tot of Lord Richmond whisky, (lord knows where that is from (and we missed Richard’s Bottle)), we took the courageous decision not to summit La Dôle, nor track up to the Col de Porte but instead wind our way back down the 5 Jura Crest Trail.

It was not long before we found ourselves down at the Bent Tree where it was comforting to see that it is still partly alive.

Kobie spent most of his time lurking in the shade of the mountain trees that we passed but it was not long before he found his true heaven.

The trail back down (slightly up in one place) was pleasant and enjoyable in the cooling breeze and it was not too long before we found ourselves heading down the slope into St Cergue.

This was a fine medium-grade hike made more enjoyable by the company and the good (not too hot) weather. Kobie enjoyed it too.

Back down in Divonne it was 6C warmer (30C) and dusty like Texas.

12.65km and 623 m denivellation (but Nathan had recorded 510m up and 570m down (!), Chris had 580m up – so I’ll go with mine).

As MikeH started his travels for the summer the day after this hike, I am blogging for him. Thanks Mike for taking this on before your long summer peregrination and wedding fest.

Mike wrote

Demonstrating the lack of imagination that comes naturally to a former financial regulator/banker, I would like to propose my usual circular walk south west from the Col du Marchairuz. We last did this on May 8th last year. The walk is about 11km and the deniv about 350m.
I would suggest we have 2 rdvs, one at 9.15 in Divonne car park and one at the Col du Marchairuz at 10.00. I will book lunch for 13.30.
I will meet at the Col and this will be my last GIN walk until July/August. 2 daughters, 2 weddings soaks up the time this summer!
Let me know by next Wednesday at the latest,
Mike

and later

So we have a provisional 10 for tomorrow with Peter Strebel, Nathan F and David C opting for Divonne, Andrew N , Rudolf Pluss, Peter T and myself for the Col. As yet , Stephen Long, Mark Watts and Michael Mathews are undeclared.

The forecast is good for tomorrow, sunny and 15 degrees so sun hats, sunglasses and perhaps a fleece are indicated.

The table is booked for 13.30

Mike

Indeed Stephen, Mark and Michael all duly turned out and we were indeed 10 at the start (and finish). Stephen and Mark sported shorts, but for me it was still a bit iffy for bare legs. No dogs this time which was a welcome relief for Mike and me, and come to think about it everyone else too.

The weather was superb, a nice breeze but not strong, a good sun and the prospect of a nice hike. We set off from the Col (1447m) at 10.20 and headed down NW along the main trail that turns SE running parallel to the crest of the Jura. It’s Nepali flat to the Chalet at La Neuve, at 1446 m. The flowers were magnificent, mainly crocuses, but some others that Philip, had he been there, could have educated us about. There was much chatting, with much to chat about.

Reaching La Neuve chalet it was time for apèros and coffee (only Mark’s black as Mervyn did not attend), and some pleasant Italian (I think) red appeared. Richard’s bottle was missed, but not sorely.

Avoiding the short 50m climb to the Crêt de la Neuve (which has great views) we headed across the crest and down to the Petit Préde Rolle where we turned NW for the 5km troll back through forest then field then forest to the Col de Marchairuz and our lunch appointment which we just about made at 13.30.

By the time we reached the cars and the restaurant we each had a good thirst going and an appetite to match, and the dish of the day – beef stroganoff with rice – was chosen by all non vegetarians.

I asked about the parrot that used to live in a cage in one corner of the bar and was told that is no longer there, but still alive (at 80 years of age (!)) in an old parrots home and had not yet gone to meet its maker. There was much discussion which included the King’s successful US visit, parrots, growing up in Africa, malaria, weddings, boats, electric bikes, GPS technicalities, general relativity, dogs, summer plans, etc etc.

We raised a toast to Larry – and hoped that he is well wherever he now is over the pond in Canada, we think. It was here that we first met him, and I recall he did turn up for a lunch – was it last year ? at the Col.

The dining room is surrounded by ticking antique clocks, all showing a different time, and chiming on the hour of their own special space-times.

By the time we had finished (near 3.30pm) all the other diners had long gone.

Another great hike into the southerly Hempstead kingdom. Thanks again Mike.

Here is the Flyer I sent :-

Mark2ts usually leads this botanical adventure but he is still in Blighty, and will be so then, so I will lead. 

Let’s hope the daffs are still there. We’ve missed them before….

The map below shows the route over La Dôle, 14km and 690m so quite a tough one for us. Say grade 5. 

Picnic needed.

Last year the team of 10 was as follows :-

Each Five of us: David C, Mervyn, Nathan and 2 Marks met at the parking in Divonne and drove up together to meet Peter, Steven, Ross, 2 Mikes: Hempstead and Mathews, and 2 dogs: Kobie and Rocco, at La Givrine.

This year a novel approach was taken. I had advertised this as a hard hike (Grade 5 needs calibrating) in order to ensure that folk were well informed before accepting a harder outing than they wanted. After a kernel of tough-nut hikers seemed to be forming, Mark2rs suggested that an alternative easier approach might attract daffodil delinquents who might not appreciate mixing harder ardour with beautiful botany.

We had 8 hikers start at La Givrine for the traditional Dôle troll, and 5 botannical boffins who would come in from La Vattay and meet us in the fields of gold. Mark2rs’s Botannical Blog is given below (thanks Mark).

Meeting up on time at La Givrine (1205m) were Stephen (bravely sporting shorts), Ross, PeterSt, Mervyn, Chris, Nicolas and Onyx, and me and Kobie. Accountants and nitpicking quiz experts among you may have counted that there are only 7 Gintlemen in that list, along with 2 dogs.

We duly set off in bright weather with a light breeze. After a few hundred metres my accountant brain (such as is left of it) kicked in as I counted only 7 of us when we should have been 8. We had forgotten Michael Mathews who had planned to arrive by train but because of railworks came up on the bus, which had been delayed (as always he says). We duly turned round and on reaching a knoll we saw Michael speeding across the grass towards us. We were now all together.

The next challenge was going to be evident fairly quickly. How much snow would there be? None of us had grippers, snow shoes or ice axes and we were going to attacking the north face of La Dôle (1677m).

It was not long before we began to transit rather large snow patches.

A further slight problem arose in that Onyx seemed set on humping Kobie at every opportunity, albeit unsuccessfully each time. Nicolas was sadly having to keep Onyx on a leash in accordance too with Swiss legal requirements.. It may be that Onyx may have to be attended to in the tackle department if such behaviour is to be cured.

After 2 km of pleasant going in a SW direction we headed up past the closed Couvaloup de Crans Restaurant towards La Dôle in a general SE direction.

At this point Stephen strode ahead and took a more southerly route up the mountain.

It was clear (to me anyway) that our ascent would be aided by staying off the slushy snow and keeping to the grassy slopes to the left, meeting the ridge and then strolling up the grass on the ridge to the summit; and so it transpired, albeit Stephen preferred the snowy more direct route. We arrived at the top at noon.

There was no time for coffee or apèro, as we had a rendezvous arrival time of 1 pm and there were a few km of descent to come. We passed by some chamois which our hounds kindly gave up chasing pretty quickly and then struggled down the rubbly and rocky ridge towards the border where we hope to meet the Vattay venturers.

It was at this point that we began to spot daffodils, in small clumps.

We struggled up the hill on time at 1pm to meet our French chums (we were now in France) and a hearting greeting ensued, dogs joined in too.

A lunch spot a little off the top of the hill in the lee of the wind and next to a small triangle of daffodils served as an ideal lunch spot, facing the intermittent sun.

Bottles were opened and our picnic commenced. Red wines, Gigondas and others helped to avoid any choking incidents (as I had bought some wraps).

It was time (2.25pm) for us to part and say our goodbyes to the French Frolickers, and we eight hikers and 2 dogs set off down towards the expected golden fields.

Finally though, on the steeper sunny slopes to our left the daffodils were there laid out in all their glory.

There followed quite a tough after-lunch section up 150m or so through the forest, therefore on quite deep snow into which our boots were sinking. Stephen laid much of the trail, in whose boot-marks we struggled to follow.

Eventually we topped out on the ski run which we followed back to Couvaloup, and which I found much easier descending than on the usual grass. Was it the wine or the ibuprofen?

We had seen at least one skier (with his dog) on the day. Indeed there was quite a covering for those who fancy ski touring. This hike had been tougher than any previous hike led by Mark2ts, on account of the snow cover.

It was left to descend easily the road and then the soft grassy mounds to La Givrine.

I made it 16km and 740m, slightly above Mark2ts earlier assessment. Our gadgets all seem to differ.

A very pleasant hike, good chats, great to see the Botanists in France too. Sorry we missed some regulars including our daffodil guru Mark2ts. The ladies (IWCN) intend to visit the fields towards the end of April. I believe that they too will see daffs, but in the fields that were yet to sprout because of late snows. We were lucky too. May we continue to be so.

Botanical Adventure Thursday 16 April 2026 (Mark2rs)

The announcement by the hiking supremo that the route over the Dôle for this traditional botanical adventure of 14km and 690m was quite a tough one for us stimulated some stalwarts but spread alarm to others. However, instead of throwing their knapsacks down and declining outright, they proposed a less challenging route starting from la Vattay. This was reminiscent of an earlier hike when the border was closed towards the end of the Covid lockdown.

Consequently, five Gintlemen, Richard Saynor, Philip Jenkins, Rob Pashley, Nathan Finkelstein and Mark Warren, set off from la Vattay for a hike of about 5.5 km each way with a height gain of 300m on a straight forward trail. 

On discovering that the organiser was a reluctant leader, Richard led us up the direct trail, which though never difficult was covered in compacted snow remaining from the skiing season. In fact, one or two skiers were seen in the course of the day. Botanist Philip informed us of the names of several flowers, including the spring squill, but one, which we baptised the triffid, eluded him. Diligent that he is, he later informed us that the real name of the plant, ignominiously called a triffid, that we saw on the way from La Vattay yesterday, is Butterbur. The unusual flowers are only seen in early Spring. The rest of the year you only see heart-shaped leaves, which get bigger and bigger as the year proceeds and eventually are enormous (rhubarb-sized).

As expected, we arrived at our meeting place 30 minutes before the other group, which gave time to relax and watch approaching hikers for the other party who arrived on time at 1pm. Carpets of crocuses were everywhere as well as several of the promised daffodils, with many more to come. 

A leisurely and most enjoyable lunch was had by all. 

All too soon it was time to separate and return our respective ways. Philip to the lead this time, taking us perfectly through the cross-country skiing domaine to our cars. 

A most enjoyable outing. Thanks Peter and everyone.

10 kilometres and 300m height difference.