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A “Tonic” outing on an “unofficial” GIN snowshoe day

To the minds of many, there is nothing like a gin and tonic with a good amount of ice. However, when the person who chooses the best gin is absent we have to at least enjoy a good tonic with ice. On this occasion, our usual leader Mark2Rs was not available and PeterT, who had suggested the outing, had fallen on the ice earlier in the week and damaged his knee. Happily, Rob stepped into the vacant leadership role to save the day and ensure this “tonic” snowshoe outing.

Eleven participants had signed up for the day…..a remarkable number given the weather earlier in the week. But Metéo Suisse promised better for this Thursday and, knowing that there would be new snow on the Jura, we were keen to dust off the snow shoes and start the season. In the event, we were a round 10 in number as our newest recruit, Stephen Langton, a friend of Mervyn’s, wasn’t able to come. He had kindly offered to host drinks in St. Cergue after the outing. Maybe, he hadn’t realised the numbers or maybe had heard of the insatiable thirst of the GIN members, but at the last moment had to pull out. Unfortunately, for him it was another GINjury: he as well had slipped on the ice, damaged his knee and was not up to the outing. So in the end Rob, Mervyn, Andrew, PeterS, MikeM, David, Nathan, Drew, Richard and Stephen met up at the now toll-free parking at Tancouex, St. Cergue. Drew was particularly visible in bright orange trousers….a practical advantage for anyone not wishing to be left behind.

Can anyone find Drew?

We all donned our snow shoes and headed off in the direction remembered from an earlier hike. It was a little overcast and certainly chilly. As we climbed, more blue appeared in the sky and more red in our cheeks. Despite some early uncertainty, Rob soon got into his stride and led us unerringly toward the Fruitières de Nyon, our first high point. Here we stopped to admire the splendid view of Mont Blanc and the Alps, across snow fields sparkling in the sunshine, and allowed a moment to catch our breath and for some of us to refresh ourselves with a little nip from Richard’s bottomless (and unfathomable), multi-labelled flask. There was some discussion as to the name of this vantage point but the signpost had the deciding vote: “Chalet Devant”.

The fantastic view from Chalet Devant, Fruitières de Nyon

From here, we walked down and then up, through untrodden snow past the refuge and towards Genolière. Stephen was encouraged to take the lead as the short steps of our vertically-challenged leader didn’t satisfy the needs of all the snowshoers in terms of providing broken snow at the correct frequency. (The same was said of Stephen, but in the other sense of frequency). As we emerged from the trees we had a beautiful scene of virgin snow and white, laden trees in glorious sunshine. Such was the euphoria, that at one stage Rob was seen running through the deep snow in his snow shoes…..he didn’t maintain that for long! Once on the main track, a short walk allowed us to reach our luncheon destination but not without a final surge by Richard through unbroken snow, seemingly a short cut but in reality a lot harder work for the front runners.

The hard climb up through new snow was well worth the effort.

All downhill from here

The Genolière was ready and waiting for our custom. A short discussion resulted in us deciding to eat inside, our years of experience suggesting that the deceptive outside warmth of the sun would soon dissipate once we were sat and stationary. Mervyn gave proof of the cooling down as he steamed in the draught of the open door.

Mervyn cooling off and in need of a beer

Beers were ordered and consumed. Stephen hoarded the empty re-closable ceramic topped bottled as a useful addition to his home brew beer storage. Charcuterie was ordered by Rob whilst 90% of us waited for fondue to be made (Nathan, the other 10%, opting for a rösti dish). The charcuterie took a time in arriving at which stage we could confirm that Rob hadn’t ordered the charcuterie when the waitress asked if we wanted some. A classic example of how a Scotsman can say “no” when he thinks he says “yes”……no wonder the confusion over Scottish independence.

Simple food in good company

As wine replaced beer (being the preferred accompaniment to cheese fondue) and was eventually replaced by spiritual offerings from Rob and Drew, we sank into a happy contentment and the usual diverse banter. Absent friends were duly remembered. We eventually realised that we would have to leave, as all other clients had vacated the premises, and a proposal was accepted by the majority to take the direct route back to the car park, across unchartered territory, as opposed to the easier walk to La Givrine and the train back to St.Cergue. A couple of wise renegades (Drew and Mike) preferred the Givrine option and headed off at speed in order to catch the hourly train. The peloton searched in vain for a path back down to Tancouex and so ended up following the leaders, at an even greater speed, in order not to miss the train. Happily, we all made it with minutes to spare, and agreed that this was the best option and that we must have been unduly influenced by the good food, wine and company into thinking of any other route.

Happy in the false believe that they could find a short cut down

A short walk, with snow shoes no longer needed, from the train station back to the car park, allowed time to reflect on the good fortune we have in being able to enjoy such a day with excellent companions. On this occasion, the “tonic” was epic, the snowy ice was plentiful and the official “GIN” nomenclature was not missed! The participants enjoyed a memorable first snowshoe of the season and could only feel sorry for those who were unable to join us.

On Thursday, 10 GIN snowshoers thoroughly enjoyed the first outing of the winter from St Cergue to the buvette La Genolière.  When I returned home, I had a message from my elder son Tim who lives in St Cergue saying he would pop in for a cup of tea.  During the course of our chat, he mentioned that Cristina, his partner, had been driving up the Route Blanche to St Cergue the previous evening at around 18.00 when she saw a long lead trailing in the road being passed on either side by drivers rushing home after work.  Nobody was around so being the caring person that she is and a true cynophile, she stopped and put on her hazard lights. Spotting the small hound she pulled over and parked by which time the dog had run into the forest.  She called the dog and after a short time it ran back to her and when she opened the car door, it jumped in!

Although the little terrier was very dirty and the car was going to be sold in two days’ time, Cristina settled her on the seat and drove the remaining few corners to St Cergue and took her home.  Tim’s dog Spencer, an Australian shepherd, was delighted to meet her and she was given a couple of treats to calm her down.  Luckily, there was a phone number on her collar so Tim rang it and the owners collected her within the hour.

Tim mentioned to me that the owners lived in Nyon and the dog had a long lead and was called Nessie.  This struck a cord with me and I asked if the lead was pink by any chance?  When I suggested that the owner was Mike Muller, he said “yes, it was”!  I was astounded as this was such an unbelievable coincidence because I had just been snowshoeing with Mike a few hours earlier! I did a video WhatsApp with Mike and showed him Tim and Spencer, when it suddenly twigged with him that they were Nessie’s saviours!  It appears that she had strayed from Mike’s wife at about 16.00 and must have travelled over 2kms up through the forest and on roads to where she was found.  Tim was able to furnish details of GPS trackers to Mike so that Nessie can be located in future when she decides to go exploring!

That’s one very lucky doggy and two very happy owners!

Nessie on her pink lead

Rain, rain go away, come back another day

The BLeader, in conjunction with Metéo Suisse, decided that the November rain was over and that this Thursday would allow a return to the saddle for the GIN Bikers. Three other members subscribed to this viewpoint or didn’t have suitable excuses to avoid the outing and Rudi made it clear that his participation depended upon dry conditions. So, Stephen, PeterD, Mervyn, Ivan and e-Rudi met at the Everness Hotel under grey, but dry skies. Rudi had taken the precaution of changing his bike battery and the rest of us relied upon the natural body reserves primed over the many years of our maturity.

The route followed the classical 3 hills, in reverse of the original circuit, starting with the gruelling Mourex climb, followed by the less demanding Vesancy ascent before finishing with the traditional Bonmont hill. The reward for all this was lunch at Ze Pinte, Signy, before the gentle meander home. All was well until the first unexpected spots of rain started on the Vesancy climb. However, Rudi still looked relaxed and magisterial on his “as much effort as you want” e-bike. 2-gear Ivan, adopted his, now usual, speedy bursts followed by a stop, allowing others to catch up and overtake before setting off again. Nepalese Mervyn was overcoming the effects of altitude, beer and insufficient biking but kept up a steady pace. Stephen and Peter initially vied for the front position until the effects of too much home grown vegetable curry for the latter, coupled by unforgiving uphill slope, negated the need for a contest.

The final climb to the Bonmont 777m was accompanied by heavier rain. So much so that some passing thoughts of attempting the 888m platform were shelved. It was then a downhill ride to lunch. Unfortunately, the rain persisted with greater enthusiasm and a cold wind joined the challenging conditions. It probably was the worst weather conditions that the GIN Bikers have undertaken and the back markers decided to ensure a place in the record books for hardiness by taking a longer route from the front runners of Peter and Stephen. Driving rain tested all the clothing….well, at least those who had brought waterproofs. The BLeader was living his promises and didn’t carry any wet weather protection, but then legs protruding from shorts are a natural barrier to water (if somewhat cold).

Still happy at the Bonmont 777m….the worst is yet to come.

The restaurant staff and the other clients eyed us with amazement as we arrived dripping and as we stripped off the wet clothing. Wet shorts and leggings remained in place to the relief of the onlookers. Habitual beers were ordered  by some, whilst the more thoughtful opted for hot drinks. Mervyn, realising the damage of his Nepalese beer intake, chose an alcohol-free wheat beer as part of his November abstinence. The menu du jour of salad/soup, schnitzel cordon bleu with chips and vegetables was agreed by all with everyone opting for hot soup. By the time the main course had arrived, blood was circulating again, bodies were warming and the conversation turned from weather to more topical subjects, such as British politics, and best local restaurants for GIN Bikers. By this time the sun was shining outside but most still felt that a little longer inside would be beneficial. Desserts and coffees were consumed. Rudi tried a last ditch attempt to dry his gloves by wearing them to hold the warm coffee cup.

We re-donned mostly dry clothes and headed back from Signy via Borex. Stephen peeled off at Borex to take the direct route home to Arnex whilst the others enjoyed the sunny, dry and drying wind on the last stretch to their respective siesta spots.

Participants were generous in their thanks to the BLeader for this leadership into the rain and cold. It’s not certain that they will trust his rain-free promises in the future. A memorable outing, if not all agreeable, but once back rested and warm the negative aspects retreat into the background and the memory of good company, good food and exercise comes to the fore.

Statistics: 46kms, average speed 15.2 km/hr, elevation climb 666m, saddle time 3 hours.