Author: Peter Taylor

Londoner, now also Swiss lives in Coppet with Jill and Kobie the Cobberdog. Ex DuPont and Conoco. Also TMcL (before then KPMG London, Manchester and Bristol). FCA and ATII. BSC Physics - Bristol 1973. Ex-President of NGO Norlha (closed down). Owner of Help for Humla (NW Nepal). Likes dogs, mountains, prog rock, bikes, hikes, climbs, swims, skis (x-country - down and uphill), raquetttes. But joints are getting creaky.

Hiking Section Ententes Cordially

The CH and FR sub-sections of the GIN hiking group enjoyed a memorable re-encounter in a socially-distancing summit entente-cordial among the flowers at the border high in the Jura last week. Leader Rob was missing with an Achilles excuse (g.w.s. Rob). A team of 5 from CH meandered up from Givrine over La Dole for the rendezvous, meeting 3 from FR. There followed warm greetings in warm sun, a fabulous Lac Leman view to a peerless Mt Blanc, sandwich lunch washed down with plenty of red wine, and much chatting with lockdown news to catch up on. We parted each to our ways, CH retreating back over La Dole and continued over the Pointe de Poèle Chaud and the Pointe de Fin Chateau, before descending on a gentle path back through the glades to the cars at Givrine (800m denivellation). Uplifting day. Attending. David C, Peter D, Steve, Mervyn, Peter T, Richard, Mark Wn, Philip. Apologies Rob P, Mark W.

Dole view
Coffee at Couvaloup before we were separated to 2 tables.
Steve and Mervyn take in the view
Lunch entente cordiale
Parting under a cloud
Heading back now over La Dole
Mervyn and David on Pte de Poèle Chaud
Steve Long takes a long sunbath
Descent in Arcadia
Forest trail on way down

Hiking Group (CH section) restarts in Jura

Leader Rob Pashley steered the first Post CV19 hike through initially foggy trails above Arzier. “I have run up this track” he announced as we looked on and pondered this incomprehensible feat. Nevertheless we managed the struggle up and along to Mt Roux for a fine lunch with whisky and ouzo with a grand view out over the lake to match. It was great to be back out with chums again, although we missed our cross border amis. The news came out the evening before, the border looks set to be open on 15 June. Bravo! Attending (with social distancing) :- Robert P, Mervyn, Drew, Steve, David C, Peter T.

Initial foggy start
Not counting who was at Mt Roux
Gentle descent. A decent start to the year!

GINs Snowshoes Givrine to La Cure 3 March 2020

A compact team guided by Mark Warren and driven by Richard headed up to Givrine with an arc route to La Cure. Rob, Mark Watts, Steve, Paul, David S and Drew gave sundry excuses. This turned out to be a truly exhilarating day out. Fantastic deep powder snow conditions and bright sun gave us a real treat as we entered the forest into the oblivion. The trees were more loaded than Schilligers in November, and many small branches were bent over the virgin trail waiting to dump us with powder. About 180m up to a barn and then down the long trail to a fondu at Chez Mamac, La Cure. 7 km but enough. Super day and company. Also attending Philip and Peter T. Thanks to Richard for taking the train back to fetch the car while the rest of us drank beers and vin chaud by a warm stove.

We start out into the deep stuff
Descent to the forest
Richard scouts out the route
Philip and Mark follow us in
Better than Schilligers
Richard takes a powder shower
Follow the pink ribbons
About to destroy virgin powder
Mark is amazed
Long trail to La Cure, now ski tracked
It’s tough but somebody has to do these things

Racket on Mt Rond 20 Feb 2020

A motley crew of 6, missing Drew excused with a cold, ascended from a crowded carpark at Col de la Faucille into the quiet and peaceful snowy forest in perfect weather and then on up to Mt Rond for fantastic views in 360°. Fresh snow powder added to the fun, especially on the steeper descent. Lunch later in Refuge de Florimont was as good as it gets. Even a whisky flask was employed to round us off. Attending – Mark Warren (leader – merci Mark), Rob Pashley (he got all the whiskey), Richard Saynor, Philip Jenkins, Steve Long and Peter Taylor. Not 499 m but memorable, great fun and company.

Approaching the main event
Better than Schilligers
Jura Magic – with prints
Longer legs in front
Summit party, Steve, Richard, Peter, Rob, Mark, Philip
Skiing on raquettes
Refuge de Florimont. Great views, value and food and wine. Excellent service too

Snow Shoeing Racket 6 Feb 2020

A fine day out from over and beyond Marchairuz organised by Rob and attended by Richard, Mark and Philip. Fine sun, good fresh snow and the following are quotes from attendees (I bailed out with a touch of the Coronavirus (cold)).

“The trail was 8.8 kms but only half of our normal 499 metres ascent!”

Quotes from Richard (above) and Mark.

“You are right it was lovely weather and a great snowshoe – 8.8km and 256m height difference.The valley from Marchairuz towards the Givrine was a first for most of us. It’s less frequented than coming from the other side. The snowshoe tracks were marked with polls but we were the first on most of it since the last snowfall.
Next date planned is 18 February; I hope you are available  to join us.”

GINs Lunch – Tannay 5 Feb 2020

Rudi Pluss organised a fine lunch at the Auberge du Lion d’Or in Tannay. Really fine set menu of salad, pork and then dessert. The sun shone and the wine flowed. It was good also to have a short mingle before we sat down to eat. Waiter Roch took some good (selfie) photos for us and appreciated our name badges, even giving himself one. 24 Attended including, Rudi, Bryan, Paul, Dave, Alan, Brian, Thatcher, Trevor D, Trevor G, Tim, John, Richard, David C, Steve, Tony, Reinier, Wouter, Terence, Mike, Ian, Simon, Peter and possibly others late on the list. Merci to Rudi.

SKI TEAM Villars

This was a really super day. With Maestro Mervyn on other slopes and Mark packing his bags for the USA, David led our smaller team of Thatcher, Steve and myself around the ski areas of Villars and Diablerets. The day dawned bright, sunny and cold, with a front coming in later in the day, so we started out early. For Steve it was a return to Villars ski area after a 20 year gap, odd given he is oft seen in Morgins over the valley. New snow the previous day meant for wonderful conditions. Coffee and lunch stops were welcome as we toured around the nicely empty pistes. One faller – me once – others skied in fine style. A great day out. Thanks to David – especially for hosting Thatcher and me the night before.

SNOW-SHOEING – Glières

The Snow-Shoe GIN-racket hit the Glières Plateau on Tuesday 21 Jan. Attending were Robert Pashley, Drew Meek, Richard Saynor, Peter Taylor and Mark Warren. A cunningly devised walk aimed to reach the same denivellation of 499 m as the last outing. Immaculate conditions of snow and weather saw the team demolish some chocolate croissants supplied by Mark, then rise through frosty forest up through the Pas du Loup to stupendous views out toward the Aravis and the Alps. The snow was glorious as was the company. Lunch was taken in warm sun at the Chalet des Auges. Richard supplied the grappa. Thick snow on the broad summit ridge gave crystalline glistenings in the sun, or was it the grappa? A brilliant day out. Thanks to all for coming along. P

Top