A hardy band of 10 GIN walkers met in the rain at the car park in Tolochonaz, above Morges. We were not put off by a few drops of rain! The walk took us on agricultural roads through the fields to the impressive Chateau de Vufflens, and thence through vines to the village of Denens where one still sees the remains of the Scarecrows erected last year for the ScarecrowFestival.
By this time we were not only wet but thirsty. Here we headed for the Cave du Chateau de Denens where John Burley had organised a wine tasting and light meal with the owner Mr. de Buren. We tried 4 different wines which were much appreciated, especially the Chasselas (at 9 francs a bottle) and the Malbec. Then of course we had to walk back to the cars in Tolochenaz…….and it was still raining! But what an excellent outing we had, thanks to John.
John Burley(leader), Brian Allardyce (wrote the blog), Alan Baker, Wouter van Ginneken, Nicolas Ulmer, Bryan Clark, Paul Sochaczewski, Tim Goodyear, Mark Warren, Mark Watts. Plus (Ginjured) Richard Saynor for lunch.
A group of 8 and a large hairy dog had signed up for this ascent of La Dôle via La Pointe de Fin Château and La Pointe de Poêle Chaud. We did not have to wait too Long for all the party to assemble at the parking at Le Coutzet (1160m) above St Cergue, in bright sunshine and promising a warm fine day, and once together we set off after the leader (PeterT) had wished good luck to each attendee. On being questioned why, PT explained that he had not actually reccied the path up the PdFC.
There was a preponderance of shorts (5-3) worn on the legs of the optimistic punters. Attending :- David, Mark2T and Mark2R, Mike, RichardW, Rob, Stephen and PeterT and his Cobberdog Kobie (on a leash all day, gamely held by Stephen most of the way up).
We soon came upon snow
It was not long before we hit the first of the snow patches, nestling in the shady side of the mountain, and soon the path began to fade and the line became a bit sketchy. The trick seemed to be to read the lie of the land and not to attempt too steep a slope. Gradually a forested ridge was ascended reaching a steep snow patch which required a delicate but forceful approach. Kobie led the way and pulled Steve up into the sunshine just below the PdFC.
Traversing the crux snow patch, Richard and M2TsKobie leading the PdFC ridge with La Dôle behind. Mt Blanc behind La BarilletteOnwards to the Pointe de Poêle Chaud
A nice ridge, not too airy led to the flat top of the Pointe de Fin Château (1556m), followed by a short descent to a hollow where a herd of chamois were sunbathing.
Chamois herdWatching the faunaLooking back to the north along the Jura
Kobie was held in check and it was not long before we were on the Poêle Chaud (1628m) itself with its Chamois king.
Hot Pot King, Haute Cime behind
A leisurely descent followed to the Col de Porte (1557m). At this point Mark2rrs mentioned that the next section of path to the left and above the precipice was the most renowned for accidents in the whole of the Jura as we watched children being led up it. As such some of the party elected to take the right hand path to the west and avoid the rubbly precipice risk.
We were soon at the Dôle (1677m) and set up a lunch circle out of the breeze in a grassy hollow. Italian reds seemed to sandwich the Luins, but it was all washed down with some stronger stuff and coffee from M2T. Absent friends missed a nice lunch, and we missed them.
Mike, Rob, Richard and MarkRed Kobie, Stephen, David and MarkAlpine ViewReadying to go with Stephen in the loop
All too soon it was time to be off and we heading south before turning east then north. The descent was a little steep, snowy, damp and muddy and required care and it was a little while before we passed Le Chalet de la Dôle (1439m)
Resting after the descentLa DôleReturning North with the descent ridge on the skyline, with snow patches that slowed us a little
The return to the cars followed the easy path over the col, another snow patch and then the road in the valley below our first two peaks of the day.
A fine second hike of 2022, in great weather and fun company. And even Kobie enjoyed himself. 12km (OK a little further than billed) and 680m. No serious injuries reported.
Next Hike in 2 weeks time (I shall have to miss it).
Our GIN lunch at the L’Accord Parfait went very well. An elite group of 9 GIN members enjoyed an excellent lunch in the recently renovated restaurant. The new modern and comfortable decor are very attractive and are a big improvement from the former restaurant Au Vieux Bois.
The food, ambiance and friendly, efficient service were all great.
The participants used several different modes of transportation, 2 bikers, 2 walkers and 5 came by car.
Definitely a restaurant worth a visit.
Gerry Swart, Dave Gwilliam, John Burley, Mark Warren, Peter Taylor, Barry Armstrong, Reinier Tervooren, Drew Meek, Mark Watts.
The GIN Bikers team assembled for a ride to the GIN lunch organised by Gerry at the Accord Parfait above Divonne.
Well, two of us assembled at the Everness and set off in perfect weather for Crans, Nyon lakeside, Prangins, Trelex, Givrins (coffee stop), Bonmont and Divonne.
Super ride with warm sun for a coffee at our favourite bakery (we could not justify croissants in view of the upcoming feast).
We arrived bang-on midday hungry for the fine lunch.
The day dawned bright and clear. Harry called in to apologise. Which left Richard W, Mervyn, Mark 2ts, Philip, Mike and PeterT. And Kobie.
Shorts 3, Breeches 1, Trousers 2.
We assembled at 10.30 at the Trelex woods parking and set off across to and up the Trelex River.
Looking upstream with the leaders away up in the distance
In short order we were up to the level of the Gorge, and the weather being gorgeous and with time to spare we elected to inspect it. Sadly although there was water in the upper river, the top source itself was dry.
Turning right up out of the gorge
Kobie was behaving, because he had mostly to be kept on a leash, and we made good progress as he pulled me up to a short coffee/water stop. The worst bit was to come, rising up steadily in hot sun, then across to the Parapente Seat for a further stop. There were fine views across to Mt Blanc just visible in the haze, and the Haut Cime (heck we did that!), as well as the Jet d’Eau. It was warm.
On the seat below the parapente field
Mark getting out the Luins
It was at this point that Mark decided to lighten his load by inviting us all to taste the latest chasselas from Luins, which indeed slipped down nicely.
Unfortunately at this point one of the party began to feel a bit feint in the heat with the wine and was swiftly revived with water. We were nearly there so we continued carefully across the cliff top path to the train station at St Cergue where lunch was taken with some suitable red provided by Mervyn.
The afternoon thunderstorm was threatening and so we duly elected to cut the walk short and descend to the valley having had the best of the day and the scenery.
There followed the excellent red train descent down the Jura enjoyed by men and dog (half-price tickets for dogs).
The party split at Genolier with half continuing to Givrins, from which there is a short walk over the river (and another dog paddle) to the cars.
I reckon about 8 km and 573m for the Givrins party, 485m for the Genoliers. A fine first day out with a good way down for those with squeaky knees. Kobie enjoyed it – thanks to each of the party for being his friend.
The walk from Montreux to the Chateau de Chillon and then a visit to the Fort had been planned for a long time, but Covid intervened. We finally managed it on 30th March, when 7 of us congregated at the Freddy Mercury statue in Montreux and walked for an hour to Chillon. The weather didn’t look too good, but Alan, Rudi, Tim, Paul, Colin, Wouter, and Brian were undaunted. The spring flowers and the magnolias were impressive, and we remarked that Montreux must spend a fortune on their gardens. Arriving at the Chateau we had a leisurely lunch and some of us even took the opportunity for a quick visit inside the Chateau.
Then across the road to the Fort which has not long been open. It was constructed in 1940 and 41 because at that time the Swiss believed a German invasion was highly likely. It was one of a large number of such Forts across Switzerland and was intended to repel attacks that might come at the end of Lake Leman. There are many camouflaged firing ports in the hillside and the soldiers lived in the various rooms which had been carved out of the mountain. We had an introduction in English and were then able to go by ourselves into the various rooms: the bunk rooms, kitchen, refectory, generator room, hospital, etc. In most of the rooms a full-size video was projected onto the wall showing what went on there. These were often humorous, for example in the hospital where a surgeon was busy doing a spoof operation using tools and gadgets from a Swiss Army knife handed to him by a colleague. The visit continued with a short film and then outside to an observation platform where you get a superb view of the Chateau, see below.
We all agreed this was a very interesting visit and well worth the walk to and from Montreux.
Mark Warren chose this excellent eatery, located just after a right hand hairpin halfway up the road to the Col de La Faucille.
In all 17 members turned up Mark2rs, Mark2ts, Ken, David, Norman, Mervyn, MikeH and MikeC, Wouter, Gerry, Stephen, Brian, Bryan, Alan, Trevor, PeterD and PeterT. The weather was just perfect, especially for four members who biked up and back. Views from this restaurant are spectacular in such weather.
The fixed price menu (Eu 42) dish of the day was Pierrade or Fondu, and 16 chose Pierrade, so 17 ate it. A good salad, with an apero provided, 5 hot stones and plenty of meat for us “vegans”and meat-eaters to tuck into, supplemented by sauces, chips and cheesy potatoes. The red wine washed it down well and the desserts were scrumptious too, followed by coffee. We had a chance to move chairs and mingle a bit. It was a most convivial affair or the first of the season for GINClub. There was also a surfeit of meat from which Kobie benefitted..
The view at 11.30 amPeterD and MikeC tuck inWouter and Ken with some hot meatGerry, Trevor, Alan, Mark2rs, David, Mervyn, Stephen all tuck in Reverse view with Norman on the left Cafe gourmand and intense discussionsWouter enjoying a dessert
Thanks again to Mark2rs for a great lunch, 12 noon to 2.30 pm.
The bike team assembled to have a tilt at the run up to the GIN Lunch at Florimont at 960m on the road up to Col de la Faucille.
Sadly Mark2ts called off with respiratory issues but he made the lunch. SO four of us, Peter D (leader for the outing), Stephen, Mervyn and myself, set off in bright blue sky from the Everness at 9.30am. Somehow the early start was chosen because of expected slowness. On reaching Gex up the rail-trail before 10.15 am we realised that we needed to stop for a welcome coffee.
A coffee to while away some time
Suitably refreshed (merci PeterD) we set off in higher gear and lesser clothing up the hill through Gex and then directly up. It was a case of just pressing on at one’s own speed. We found a route that avoided all but 300 metres of the main road and emerged all of a sudden at the Florimont at 11.30am, with 30 minutes to bask in the sunshine awaiting the main crew for lunch.
The final approach to Florimont. Avoiding the main road. Florimont view with attendees trickling in.PeterT, Mervyn, Stephen, PeterD ready for lunch
After a very fine lunch (see separate Blog), the bike team set off for the easy part. A run back to Evenness in under 45 minutes, down our up trails, through Gex, the rail-trail, and Chavannes woods.
A really great start to the bike season. Thanks to Peter D for suggesting it and leading us. I recorded 610m deniv, there and back from my house. And about 37 km.
A convivial evening was held at the home of Martin Vaughan and his wife Fay at 7.30, February 24.
This was our opening gathering for 2022…….8 participants were able to sample and try to recognize 6 different red wines from two countries, Spain and Portugal. Highest score was 4 from Paul……very commendable …….
The accommodation could only have taken 4 but due to all the GINjuries and other commitments only Mervyn and Mark were able to make this outing. The venue was Tignes, a 3 hour drive away, and very empty at weekends, so we set off at 9 on Saturday morning and were skiing by 1. First off was up the Grande Motte and, since there were no queues, up the Telepherique to the glacier at 3458m. From there we skied over to Val d’Isère gaining no points for style as we negotiated the moguls of épaule which were scraped bare of soft snow. On our return to Tignes we both decided that the main problem was the lack of edges on our skis and nothing to do with our ability so we duly rectified that, but that took away our excuse!
Top of Grande Motte
Sunday was the end to end day. We were at the Aiguille Percée by 10 and at les Brévières, 1550m, lowest point of the whole resort, by 10:30. Then over to Val d’Isère and over the Leissières up and over lift to Col de l’Iseran. We missed out on the furthest extreme, mainly as a result of having eaten a good lunch too early.
The Aiguillle PercéeSki group coordinator, working hard
Monday we had to correct the omission so we booked a late (14:00) lunch at the Eidelweiss restaurant, a favourite, and explored the remainder of Val d’Isère, including the Montets lift to the furthest point from Brévières. After a wonderful lunch we were even worried about connecting with the last lift back into Tignes.
Montets, furthest SouthishFar too many people on these slopes
Tuesday was planned as half a day so we revisited the Aiguille Percée then up the Grande Motte for a run down Leisse, coffee at the Panoramique (no lunch since we needed to drive) and a long descent down Génépi.
Restaurant at the Panoramique (we were sorely tempted)
We were home by 17:00 for tea and cakes at Mervyn’s.
Summary
Highest point – la Grande Motte (3458m)
Lowest point – les Brevières (1550m)
Furthest North – les Brevières
Other extreme – Montets
Plenty of snow but a little bit hard packed in places.
Clear blue skies every day, no sign of any clouds.
Fabulous 3 days, great snow, no crowds, good food and drink.
