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Thursday 15 September 2022

An earlier hope to mount an attempt on Le Jalouvre was stymied by a poor-ish forecast, so we reverted to a tried and tested ascent in the Jura up to the Barillette. There were a number of members expressing regrets, excuses and some citing recovery from ginjuries, but a magnificent 7 turned out. With the leader (me) not specifying correctly to Andrew the meeting point we set off a little late from Divonne to join Rob at point “888” on the Barillette road in what turned out to be reasonable weather.

Attending : Andrew, Mark2ts, Mervyn, Rob, Peter, Richard S, Stephen.

Shorts were clear winners at 5 to 2 and a spritely crew set out up the trail to the Barillette mast. We made steady progress up the leafy trails that wind up through the forest, gently in the most part but with some steeper sections. Just before the exit from the woods we stopped in a clearing and Mark brought out a flask of strong coffee while Richard touted his not-so-strong-as-his-others, Finnish Lakka.

Thanks to both as we were delivered fresh and with renewed vigour onto the road. Rob inspired us to climb the final 50m to the mast at 1528m where we took in views the Lac Leman.

It was time to descend to make our 12.30 rendezvous at the Restaurant de la Barillette where we entered our old haunt of previous temperance encounters.

We scanned the menu but it was clear that, after some beer, 7 fondus were needed and before that two plates of charcuterie. The preferred wine was Debluy chasselas which helped the liquid cheese slip down rather nicely as we watched the rain pouring down outside.

My recollection of the lunch-time discussion is rather hazy, and without significantly breaching the Gin Oath of Confidentiality (GOC), I seem to recall that Fermat’s Last Theorem stated first in 1637 (for any integer >2 the equation a^n + b^n = c^n has no positive integer solutions) was given a welcome airing; however Mark chose not to explain the 92 page proof established by Andrew Wiles in 1994. (Editors note – I could not find how to type powers properly…).

We toasted absent friends, the King and recently departed Queen, as well as Deborah. Mervyn told us she would have certainly expected him to have attended today.

Other discussions covering such subjects as UK Politics, Scotland, Tunisian food, Ukraine, UK Sterling and dogs shall remain subject of the GOC.

There being no Alpenhorn party on this occasion, after tart and cream desserts, coffee and flask stuff, it was time for the descent back to the cars, passing under the Rochers de Pierre Lente.

The forest trails down through the Jura slope were traversed in some welcome sunshine, and despite some bum-slips on the steeper muddy tracks (at least by me), mostly without incident.

A fine hike in good company with a pretty decent fondu. The rain came along later that day.

I made it 11.9 km and 663m, albeit others might beg to differ.

PS

My recommended podcasts 1. The rest is politics 2. Infinite Monkey Cage 3. New Statesman

Recommended film – 1917 (was on RTS last week).

So many excuses were received for this first hike in September that it seemed for a while that only Stephen and David would participate. Admittedly, Stephen had indicated a drive to Morgins would be required and that first indications of the weather were not favourable. In the event, a final call resulted in a 50% improvement in numbers, Mark2Ts being happy to be transported by David on the way there and return via CFF.

The day dawned bright. SwissMeteo kindly readjusted its forecast to rain-free. The allotted meeting time of 09.30 at Stephen`s chalet came and went and by 09.40, the walk leader was becoming anxious. Thanks to mobile communication, he was reassured that Mark and David were indeed only 6 minutes away. They duly arrived, sheepishly admitting that David’s satnav had led him on a detour heading towards his usual destination of Villars, happily realised before his arrived there.

There was some possibility that we could have had a female participant (would this have been a first?) but Kate, with inside knowledge of the leader, decided for a less strenuous day. The intrepid 3 set off through Morgins village, up to the pas de Morgins and into France. So far gentle. From there a recently found track could have led for a near vertical ascent to above Chatel had the designer not decided to insert a few tight bends as a less arduous route. Even so this rivalled some of the usual GIN Hiking leader’s steeper routes. As it was, the GIN men were tested and reached the heights, sweated but not broken.

As we climbed about the tree line the panorama opened out with views down the valley to Abondance and across the valley to the ski areas of the Linga and Pré la Joux.

From this vantage point, a slight descent and then renewed climb within close proximity of the Super Chatel cable car station. Cable car and chair lifts were operating but seemingly with little custom. Stephen artfully cut a corner to prevent the other two hikers taking the short detour to the restaurant, having already phoned ahead to the intended hostellerie a little further up the track. Chalet Neuf was reached shortly before 13h, ahead of schedule.

The restaurant was busy. Many of the alpine work force having decided that this was a suitable location to re-fortify themselves over a long lunch break. Unfortunately, there was a lack of waitresses….one in total to be exact….who had to serve both outside and inside clients. An immediate order of beer and panache managed to fill time before the fondue and viande sechée (and the essential carafe of fendant) order was placed and eventually delivered. The sun disappeared behind cloud, the new freshness in the air requiring additional clothing layers,  allowing fondue to seem a more appropriate choice for this time of year.

We eventually left the restaurant at 14.40h, not before the GIN Hikers traditional Scottish digestive was consumed, courtesy of Mark, with the coffee. A short, but steep climb especially as blood was not focused on leg muscles, took us to the Portes de Culet, with its splendid view of the Dents du Midi.

There was a possibility there for the short, 40 minute climb to the Belleview. Rejected. However, due to the later time than anticipated,  modification was needed to the planned itinerary even though Mark said his next commitment was not until the following Tuesday. The leader took an executive decision for a direct decent on the road. This was rapidly vetoed by David, who suggested an alternative unknown grass track, albeit marked at frequent intervals with red “Swiss Peaks” flags, indicating that it probably lead somewhere. Several fit looking individuals passed us at speed going  uphill in the opposite direction. It did indeed lead us down to Morgins village eventually joining with a route more familiar to the local resident. There’s a moral here….something about being open to new ideas and not being too blinkered.

Kate was waiting for us, after her relaxed day, with welcoming tea, fruit and biscuits. Farewells were said and David and Mark drove off down the valley after what we all agreed was another excellent day’s hike in the Alps. Just as Stephen was settling in for his post-hike siesta, Kate discovered unclaimed supplies that David had left in the fridge to keep cool during the day. New farewells were exchanged half-way down the road to Monthey as David’s evening’s rations were returned in a layby.

Statistics: ca. 14.2k, 3h20m moving time, 3h eating and resting time, min. elevation 1305m, max 1784m, 647m total ascent/descent.

18 Aug 2022

The earlier forecast for this Thursday was for heavy rain but things changed and in the event we stayed dry and happy. What also changed was the line-up. Mark 2rrs had galvanised 9 punters to brave the elements and savour Frank’s croutes and genepi. In the event only 4 of us turned out – the excuses and apologies of others ranged from genuine to tenuous – but all were forgiven, they were sadly going to miss a treat.

Assembling at the Crozet lift, we spent the Eu 9 for return tickets and set off on the first lift. That is we got into the first bubble and then they started the system up. They turned it off after we got out at the top at Le Fierney.

Mark provided us all with chocolate croissants so we were fired for the gentle hike up to the Col de Crozet.

It was in no time at all that we found ourselves at the Table d’orientation du col de Crozet. And there was no lack of liquor as Richard produced some Lakka, at least that’s what it said on the hand-written label.. It was only 21.5 proof and for a Finnish spirit it had a sweet and fine finish, definitely more refined than the Saynor usual decouvertes.

It was very pleasant in the sun, but the cloud was soon to arrive as we heading across past La Catheline lift (nb others with health issues could have driven to Lelex and ascended this lift and wandered across Frank’s/La Loge).

We headed off in a SW direction traversing the hill but ascending on a path towards Sur le Crêt. The cloud started to envelop us and the going over stones and roots was damp and slippy. There were some fresh smells, welcome after all that heat.

In view of the slippery conditions and with beer in mind, Marks 1 and 2 opted to turn around shortly before the Crêt while Richard and I soldiered/sauntered on up for 10 minutes to the cloud-swept broad ridge.

We did not linger and indeed passed the Marks on the way down to La Loge as the heavens began to spit. Laos the Australian Shepherd was with Frank and Katie who greeted us warmly. Inside it was warm and cosy and I recalled our snow-shoe visit during the pandemic, with tinsel and christmas lights.

We were soon drinking beers and toasting absent friends unlucky not to be with us.

A very pleasant lunch finished off with coffee and Frank’s memorable genepi.

It was all too soon time to leave before we could play any chess. There remained the easy path back to Catheline and thence up to the col before an easy tootle back down to our cabin ride at Le Fierney. We stayed dry, which could not be said of the temperance aspect. May there be many more.

10.27 km and 530m or so. Moderate. To be repeated (again) in winter !

Sentier des Toblerones – Gland to Bassins

Chocolate doesn’t fare well on hot days, so it could have been a very sticky day given the current weather. However, the Sentiers des Toblerones from Gland Golf Club up to Bassins is mostly in very pleasant wooded shade and the earlier than normal start meant that we completed the hike in time for lunch and a subsequent siesta at home in the real heat of the day.

Summer is upon us and many of the usual GIN hikers were away or engaged with visitors. So, once again, it was a select group, this time of Stephen, Rob , Mark2Ts and Drew who subscribed to this outing. Careful planning identified that we would:

1.  not want to descend during the warmer part of the day and that we would
2.  be in need of refreshment and revitalising at the end point of our hike.

This ruled out making it to the formal end of the sentier at La Pessette (see below). Bassins, however, offered the possibility of an Auberge Communale and parking to leave a car, ready for the drive back after lunch. As it turned out, a notice on the auberge door indicated that it had decided to take a vacation and so an alternative hostellerie was selected at Le Muids, a short car ride away . At 08.30 they happily assured us that there would be a menu de jour but that what it would be was still undecided. Rob and Stephen then descended by car to meet up with Mark at the parking near the Gland Golf Club. From there we walked along the well-marked sentier towards a suitable pick up point for Drew near to his apartment in Gland (the high rise building where he lives being a significant landmark and famous for a severe fire a few years back…happily now repaired). The only glitch in the arrangement was that mobile numbers had not been exchanged but this was overcome by the resourcefulness of GIN members (and the fact that some of them leave telephone numbers in emails).

Amongst the group, knowledge of the correct route was well covered, some used to heading down and along, others ascending from a half-way up starting point, and some with just a vague sense of direction from earlier walks. All of us though re-acquainted and added to our knowledge of the sentier and covered new ground along the way. A short stop at La Cézille, at the once famous ham and gratin restaurant, now changed hands, allowed us a coffee break (all 4 black, no sugar…what a healthy lot!). From there it was a short but nonetheless meaningful last ascent to Bassins to cover the ca. 350m overall climb from Gland and 10.5 kms, arriving just before midday.

The short drive to Le Muids, in the car left at the Bassins parking, brought us to the promised set menu lunch, now finalised,  of salad, sausage and chips (or couscous) but more importantly, perhaps, to a couple of refreshing beers. We remarked on the agricultural nature of most of the clientele amongst other wide ranging discussion topics.

We agreed that the timing, length and severity of the hike had been just what was required, giving a sense of fulfilment without heat exhaustion. Nevertheless, this blogger for one, appreciated the afternoon siesta.

A morning stroll in the Portes du Soleil

For our first Alpine outing this year a seasoned band of 4 congregated on a fine sunny day at the car park, near to the church, in Morgins (1303m) at 09.30. It also happened to be the day that Boris finally threw in the towel. There had been some predictions during an earlier walk and I think that David College might have correctly forecasted a July departure for Boris. (Whether this is valid if he stays on longer as PM……).

Several excuses had been received from absentees from visiting relatives to summer travels leaving Richard, Mervyn and Rob to take the challenge set by Stephen. This commenced by zig-zagging up towards the source of La Vieze, across the 28 rustic bridges through the woods. Along the way we passed the Cantine de They (1483m), site of annual Heren cow fights, where Stephen had helped sponsor the local, Caprice, to third position in the National “Reine des Alpes” competition in 2014.

Interesting as it might have been to linger and admire the scene, our leader suggested getting some altitude behind us before stopping for refreshments. So it was at Torvoissière (1689m) that a short first stop was permitted, a couple of the hikers opting for their first beer of the day, whilst the other two settled for luke warm tea…..all kindly sponsored by Richard.

From here the route continued steeply uphill, made more hazardous by groups of fast descending mountain bikers, illustrating that the marketing of the Portes du Soleil as a biking haven has indeed taken root. A number of these bikers were clearly of anglo-saxon origin due to the understandable expletives issued on hitting large lumps of earth in the terrain at speed. It was decided that this would not be a suitable outing for the GIN Bikers. By the time we neared the spot marked by a cross called “Portes du Soleil* (1950m) in the Portes du Soleil, there was drifting cloud, wind and threatening rain. This encouraged Mervyn to think ahead to the next ski season and take his place on the strategically positioned télésiege seat (we didn’ like to tell him that it was unattached to the télésiege). Happily, the rain didn’t materialise and Mervyn left the seat before the next ski season.

From here an undulating path gave us a great view of the emerging Dents du Midi and a panorama down to Les Crosets and across to the Dents Blanches. As we neared the outskirts of Champoussin, it became evident that timings for lunch were optimistic and the selected alpage restaurant was informed that we would be behind the planned schedule and that the punters would be hungry. Indeed, there were signs of sugar lows and unuttered “how much further?”. The former was aided by some dextrose tablets from a well-prepared participant (Rob) and the latter deflected by the leader who encouraged that a little more effort now would pay dividends in a shorter route after lunch.

So it was that we arrived at the Alpage La Chaux at about 13.30 having completed 15km and ca. 770m uphill. (There were notable differences in distance and elevation from the various electronic devices present. However, since this blogger had the most recently purchased device and this also showed the highest figures, we’ll go with that). The sun came out and the wind died down allowing us to enjoy an open air lunch with a view.

Beers were rapidly consumed and the food ordered. Unusual to find truite meuniere at altitude, so this was ordered by the fish lovers whilst the true mountain men stuck to the more heaty offerings of spare ribs and rösti La Chaux. There was some debate as to whether the ribs were spare at all. All meals were well appreciated and the restaurant noted for future outings. To help the digestion Richard had found some professionally labelled grappa in his back pack and was keen to share this around and lighten his load for the return. We duly obliged but questioned the authenticity of the labelling. As usual, we had a lively banter on a range of subjects which surprisingly did, fleetingly, touch upon Scottish independence and the impact of the departure of Boris. As usual, I can’t remember any outcomes to the discussions.

True to the leader’s word, the after lunch walk to the chair lift down was less than it could have been at a different restaurant but still necessitated a steep uphill stretch to bring our total climb for the day to ca. 870m. Everyone was happy not to have to walk down the 600m. It was a short walk from the chair lift station to the parked car. Richard, Mervyn and driver Rob headed home after a tiring but enjoyable day and Stephen returned to his chalet for R&R.