Blog – Page 24 – GIN Club

GIN Hiking Season Starts

Raid (almost) on St Cergue 1 April 2021

April Fools Day. But the weather did not fool us and it was a sunny and warm start for four of us from the parking in the forest above Trelex. Rob, Thatcher, Mark Warren and myself. Having read that the IWCN rules require members to arrive 15 minutes early, I arrived well before 10am, as did the others so we set off at 9.58am. Unhappily however, Stephen had mentioned during a beer after an exhausting bike ride 2 days earlier that he would also join the hike, but I had forgotten this as I had no paper work in front of me. After 7 minutes along the trail I got a call from the slightly late Mr Long. Rob went back to fetch him and after apologies from the leader for being an April Fool the five of us started up the dry and stony trail through stunted oak and beech towards a distant St Cergue.

The initial sparsely wooded ridge allowed expansive views across the forested valley to Genolier and back in the other direction to Geneva and the Alps. Not a cloud in the sky! It was T shirt weather. The unvaccinated among us had our vaccine dates fixed so we were in good cheer. Life was good and the banter steered clear of Scottish politics. Some worries surfaced of the impending French lockdown and its impact on upcoming golf plans. Passing 10 minutes on the sturdy commune bench allowed us to gird ourselves for the steep hike ahead. The leader had only a sketchy knowledge of a middle section resulting in a “holiday-route” up though brambles and some words for the leader, but we were soon back on the trail. We encountered large boundary stones with “SC” and “N” carved on either side (answers on a postcard). A path to the right then skirted a cliff and led up to the under-girth of St Cergue. The cone of snow cleared from St Cergue streets blocked the track but we were soon past and had an encounter with three chamois. There followed an enjoyable picnic lunch on benches overlooking the valley out to Mt Blanc in the distance. Johannisburg, NegroAmaro and Lagavulin were on the drinks card.

Our descent commenced along the cliff to the parapente overlook and the usual amazing view. Rob provided impeccable guidance back down trails he runs up and down regularly, and added a fine detour through the gorge. We were soon back at the cars – a good first outing 2021. 580m denivellation and 12.5 km.

Apologies : Peter D, Richard, Paul, Gerry, Mark, Philip and others – who missed a sunny and pleasant hike.

Thatcher, Mark, Rob and Stephen ready for the hill behind them.

Thatcher ascending. Edited in Prisma app with Thota Vaikuntam

Rob serves Lagavulin. Edited in Prisma app with Thota Vaikuntam

At the overlook

Tree trunks and logs.

GIN skiers to Veysonnaz, March 30

Tuesday March 30 was bright and clear so Mervyn and Mark set off to Veysonnaz for possibly the season’s last outing. All other skiers had cried off with wimpy excuses involving various combinations of missing skis, warm snow, dogs…, so there were only just enough of us to pluralise(?) the title.

When we arrived after a very easy drive we found no queue at the ticket office and were soon on the slopes.

Mervyn expertly led us over a wide area including finding a suitable rock for lunch and a bar at the end where the beer is delivered to tables by télépherique and the dogs wear face masks. Is there any ski station where Mervyn cannot guide?

Mark was so impressed by the “Long manoeuvre” last week that he tried to emulate it. However only his rucksack succeeded. In a separate incident he demonstrated a face plant that was so effective it had Mervyn concerned for the integrity of his brain cell.

The snow was perfect, there were no clouds and nobody else on the slopes so we (I) were exhausted by 3:30 and in need of a cold beer before a very simple and uneventful drive home. A great day out, shame the others could not come.

Snowshoes Givrine Circuit

25 March 2021

A bright day dawned again as promised as a team of 7 plus one very junior and furry non-member arrived at the empty parking Col at Givrine at 10 am for a circuit into the Jura. Captain Mark Warren inspected the conditions near the start and declared that snow shoes were not essential nor even recommended and so we all left them behind and set off into the unknown heading up past the Fruitière de Nyon and up to the Rochefort CAS Cabane. Kobie the Cobberdog was attending his first GIN outing, and for it not to be the last, Peter was keen that his copy-book would not be blotted such that the (rather untrained) hound might not be banned from future outings. Still ungroomed at 9 months, he rather resembled a small, or perhaps large, furry yeti. Used as therapy dogs, Peter hoped that his happy countenance would fit in with the fun spirit of the members.

After an hour or so of steady progress with the yeti seemingly under control we reached a hut on the Route de Combe Grasse with a sunny facade and some useful logs for stools. A coffee stop was declared and curtesy of Mervyn’s thoughtful generosity some good hot dark strong stuff was passed around with fresh croissants. It was going to be a challenge to keep the yeti from whipping our pastries, especially for Rob to whom Kobie was particularly attracted and who had an elevation challenge. In the event Kobie played the coffee cup game to keep us amused.

My recollection of the discussions on the hike remain clouded by doggy thoughts, but I believe we recovered the usual ground of Scottish (in)dependance, whisky subtleties, vaccination politics, French and Swiss mismanagement, Trumpism and world struggles. I recall one member saying that in order to ensure he got a high place in the queue for vaccination he might claim obesity and “stick his stomach out at the doctor”. Another member commented “you don’t need to bother doing that”.

The trail led us on up to Cabane Rochefort and we spotted two chamois scampering across the slope ahead. Kobie was sinking into the heavy snow off the trail and even if interested had no chance. At the CAS hut we sprawled out on the outside picnic benches in warm sun and in shelter with hazy views out over Lac Leman. Perhaps the level of dog control could be improved at lunches in future and I apologise here to attendees for any inconvenience or nibbled turnovers. This time convivialities started with Stephen’s Prosecco and moved on to white wines before grappa and some of Rob’s flask contents. A very pleasant picnic indeed.

All too soon we had to part and the hound led us out toward the Chalet du Haut Mont and the Chalet de la Genolière. In places snow shoes might have been useful but we managed successfully, finding the coffee stop (thanks Stephen) at CdlG most welcome, as did Kobie who frolicked merrily with the resident terrier.

We were soon back at Givrine after a very pleasant 10km and 300m hike on snow without raquettes. The verdict on Kobie seemed potentially positive…

In attendance:- David, Marks Wn, Mervyn, Peter, Richard, Rob, Stephen, Kobie.

PS : The next day Kobie was exhausted and we started to groom him. Training awaits too.

Onwards to the Hiking season proper.

Coffee stop. Mervyn distributes coffee and croissants. Rob saves his croissant from a yeti.

Lunch at Cabane Rochefort. Richard enjoys a chicken and leek turnover, er, handover..

GIN SKI VILLARS 23 Mar 21

It dawned a beautiful day, as expected, for seven of us lucky skiers organised by David Colledge and Mark Watts for Villars-Diablerets. Mike descended from St Luc, Stephen from Morgins, Thatcher and David were already in Villars, which left only Mark, Mervyn and Peter to travel from the Terre Sainte. All met on time and quickly procured lift passes from the automat machines and we were whisked up on the telecabine (5 at a time with masks) to Roc d’Orsay.

Not a cloud was visible in the sky, only a light cool breeze, with almost 360 and fabulous views from la Chamossaire, the snow was pretty well perfect too. So we duly descended several times. Directed by David the Lucky Seven sped on through Bretaye, Rasse and Gryonne and up to Croix des Chaux for a couple of fine long runs. Mike tried to escape but was caught in time for Chaux Ronde and then across to Conche for the ride up to Meilleret for some fine running and finally to Les Mazots for a take-out lunch. No outside terrace, but we sat on our gloves at the top of the toboggan run in fine sun with a fantastic vista over to the Diablerets cliffs, surely one of the finest lunch views we have had there being no old chap in front of one to chat to over a table. Mervyn produced a fine bottle of white wine which was much appreciated.

After lunch we flew down Nationale and then wended our way back towards Villars.

The “Long Incident“

There was an odd and amusing but potentially dangerous event that occurred later on at Chaux Ronde, and which we now refer to as the “Long Incident”. From an observer looking back it seemed to me, and recollected almost in slow motion, that the chair behind ours was having some form of trouble. Their bar had not been raised in time for a slide off on skis. Despite ever more frantic efforts Stephen seemed set on doing a 180 and returning down the Lac Noire lift. What on earth was he doing ? Mike had managed somehow to get away behind a third person (dressed darkly) and both had slid away, but Stephen seemed to be an act on a Swiss clock, appearing then turning and disappearing now seemingly more rapidly on a turntable after the bell clangs. Happily the alarm sounded and the machinery ground to a halt allowing Stephen to make an undignified exit that looked as if it was his first time on a lift. We were later asked to believe that the culprit was the dark third party who had seemingly fallen into a coma or daydream with his skis still on the bar, and had thus prevented Stephen and Mike from raising the bar to escape in normal good time. The jury seemed to accept this story, but Mike was a little mute on the verdict. Stephen may be appealing…

No physical damage sustained (mental scars may last longer), we swooped down several more runs in the slightly worsening snow conditions, and definitely worsening knee and leg conditions, before the last long run down to the bar and cars in Villars. Stephen finally disclosed what he had been carrying in a backpack all day – a large pair of stout brogues.

Thanks to all for a fun day out in perfect weather with minimal queues, all returned safely – and only one “incident”.

Mark, Thatcher, David,, Stephen, Mike, Mervyn

Lunch at Les Mazots, Servin Mervyn (previously Swervin Mervyn)

David at lunch with the Col de la Croix behind

Could have been discussing the Long Incident, but perhaps it was earlier…

Happy folk about to lunch, above Les Mazots

Hiking Group Flyer for 2021

Dear GIN Hikers,

It is my privilege and honour to be taking over the hiking lead role from David who has valiantly led the group for several years but has now passed it on to me (we should have a celebratory lunch in his honour). It was a difficult year for hiking but we managed some good outings last year. Let’s home for a decent unlocking and for more happy days in the sunny uplands.

As before the schedule will involve alternate Thursdays with perhaps a longer outing in mid September, with volunteers stepping up to lead as they choose. There is so much to aim at and perhaps with varying levels of challenge and difficulty to suit the capabilities and desires of the electorate. Before the pandemic we used to meet up at the Divonne Lake carpark in France. Maybe we could return to that sometime soon. We shall also aim to include lunch terraces where this is possible.

A key feature of our hikes should be safety. I will be carrying a first aid kit. We shall consider plan B escape routes where needed.

I have put my name down for 4. Please feel free to let me know if you will lead a hike (or two) of your choice with selected date(s). Ideas for the Long”weekend” in September are also welcome.

Outline Schedule (If the forecast is poor then we may postpone etc or abandon as fits).

April   1   Peter (to be advised late March)
April 15
April 29
May 13
May 27    Peter
June 10
June 24
Aug    5
Aug 19
Sept   2   Peter
Sept 16 (Long “weekend”)
Sept 30
Oct   14
Oct   28   Peter

It is likely that Stephen will choose the other alternate Thursdays for bike outings.

I will send out a separate list of ideas for possible hikes, shortly.

Looking forward to a safe and virus free year in the hills.

Best wishes

Peter

Lac de Joux Circuit

Tuesday 9 March 2021

The snowshoe team had to leave their equipment behind for this hike round Lac de Joux, hardly any white stuff was in evidence. Richard led us on a merry saunter clockwise round the lake from position 5 o’clock at Le Sentier. Attending too were Mervyn, Rob, Steve and Peter, with Michael Hempstead meeting at 10.30am at the 8 o’clock position. Peter (el coward) had previously decided that his feet would not sustain a 23 km jaunt and had left his car at Le Pont at the bottom (top if looking on a map) end of the Lac and had biked in the frozen dawn to the start at the top (bottom on map) to chain his bike at the carpark.

A bright and sunny but a little chilly morning saw the team springing passing Jaeger LeCoultre factory and on up the western side of the Lake in the reflected glare of the sun off the lake, frozen at the edge. Pup Rocco had given blood on time and Michael was thus on Swiss time to rendezvous and swing into gear for the amble down (or up) the lake. Politics, Royal Family squabbles, rugby, Scottish independence, Scottish dependence, Scotch, Scottish fish dispute (Sturgeon and Salmond), vaccines etc occupied our conversation and the views were inspirational too.

We encountered few folk, but one fellow advised us of a herd of chamois on the trail up ahead. Sure enough this was the same herd as seen last year and featured in the local press. They were clearly very used to hikers and we were allowed some close up shots.

A sunny slope out of the rising breeze looking out over the Lac above Le Pont catered for our lunch spot and after opening grappa (Richard’s not David’s) we were lubricated with Epesses, Fechy and (red) Fetzer, closed off with Lagavulin. A most pleasant picnic finally had to be ended and we set off again down to the bottom (top) of the lake. Peter then decided that as his feet were (oddly) uncomplaining and that perhaps he should wait to drive, that he would indeed continue and try and complete the circuit, and wistfully eyed his car as the peloton sped past it at Le Pont. Indeed we engaged in absorbing conversations along the speedy second leg of 11km back to the car, passing inter alia, Richard’s fine boats, lashed to a tree high above the water line. The final section of board walk above the marsh gave way to the start and end point with Michael having still another hour to go to his car at the 8 position – he said he would be OK if he kept moving. Peter donned his bike helmet and headed off back down (up) the lake in the chilling air to complete a double circuit to serve him right for cowardice.

A pleasant walk, not as hard as its 23km and 200m denivellation seemed to promise. A pleasant bike ride too. Thanks to Richard for Swiss-clock precision leading of this fine snow-shoe fill-in. The hiking group will now take over unless there is a substantial snowfall in the coming days in March… (it’s in the forecast folks..).

Apologies :- Mark W, Mark W, Thatcher, Drew, John.

Peter at Le Pont before his bike to the top (bottom) of the Lac. Note the frost…

View down (up) the Lac from where we met Michael

Opposite view at same point, the team taking coffee

View across to L’Abbaye and a patch of snow !

Long and short with Dent de Vaulion (a recent snow shoe summit) and Lac Brenet on the left

Team enjoying the sun. Richard Saynor, Mervyn Powell, Rob Pashley, Steve Long, Michael Hempstead

Lunch at Le Pont – slightly less sun than would have been ideal

Hike map with Peter’s heart rate by colour (not a lot..). I have two others for the bike legs (P). From my watch – not a Jaeger LeCoultre…

La Neuve – Snowshoes 23 Feb 21

Attending : Marks W and W, Richard, Steve, David, Peter.

Apologies : Rob, Drew, Mervyn, Philip (apologies for missing any)

According to Janet and Pam’s guidebook (with our experience in brackets):-

” CRET DE LA NEUVE – Alt. 1494m

Difficulty : Easy undulating walk along the top of the Jura
Map: Nyon-St Cergue, TopoRando 1:25,000

Height gain : 348m (450m)

Length : 10.5 kms (12.5 km)

Time : 4hrs

Start/Finish : Col du Marchairuz, 1447m, where there is a hotel (shuttered)

Signposting : Good in parts –yellow diamonds and arrows (confusing)

Observations

On a clear day (it was hazy) the Crêt de la Neuve has one of the most magnificent viewpoints in the Jura. There are three display panels (were useless to us) giving the names and heights of the alpine peaks on the horizon, starting from the Bernese Oberland on the left, the Mt.Blanc and the Dents du Midi ranges ahead, the mountains round Lake Annecy and finally the Chartreuse in the Savoie on the extreme right. Below is Lake Geneva (hardly discernible) in its entirety with Geneva and the jet d’eau clearly visible to the right. The flowers in late May are glorious. “(The February snow was marginal but it was worth taking the snow shoes).

Blog :-

A team of six started from the Col at 9.30 am on a bright and sunny day, albeit there was a haze reminiscent of Delhi on a clear day for Delhi. Peter had chosen the Cret de La Neuve after suggestion from Mark Wn and directions from Janet/Pam. There was in fact little choice left in the Swiss Jura after such a warm spell and in truth we held low expectation for snow, indeed some were loth to even carry snow shoes. Only Steve outlasted the day without using them (but he lugged them around). We saw only three other people all day and the trails were deserted in the fine weather. Underfoot the snow was spring and firm to soft, but plentiful and the going was steady with no ice.

Ignoring the ladies’ instructions (anticlockwise) we opted for a potential clockwise route albeit it did not quite turn out that way. After a pleasant two hour saunter following disconcerting and very fresh wolf tracks, we cut up the steep final slope (but not the mustard) to the summit, offering the gift of a bottle of water to the gods.

On the fore summit we were greeting by very friendly labrador “Milton”, the nefarious wolf, and his owner who had skinned up on skis. They soon both hared off leaving us the summit stone wall ring for our bar and picnic circle, safe from any remnant wolves. We could have been on an ocean liner in the mist with Swiss flag flapping very gently and the sun shining down above us. The views above the forest were very hazy.

The normal temperance meeting started with some aperos from Richard, mine was a Marc, before we move on to Luins and Fechy white. There followed some truly excellent grappa from David, and a fine but mysterious English whisky from the Watts’ collection, and also hot coffee therefrom. We toasted absent friends and Deborah Powell who was entering hospital that day for surgery. As per our rules, the lunch conversation was fulsome but private and will not be put on record. I believe we did solve a number of world problems as well as airing grievances while admitting blessings.

Richard had to get back home early to change ovens so he hoofed off leaving us to chew the fat a little more. Time to go and Steve did the honours and visited the summit cross for us. Peter then led the tribe back through the wilderness, turning unknowingly in the haziness of the lunch, in almost a circle, but oddly following the trail of a lone snow-shoer that could only be Richard.

We had found ourselves back on the incoming trail. There was nothing for it but to retrace our steps along the pleasant forest trail, following the trail of Richard. We made it back in the heat in time to match the guidebook, but having completed 450m deniv and 12.5 km. Not bad, memorable and enjoyable. Incredible weather for February.

Outward bound – Richard and Steve still carrying snow shoes

Steve and David sensing our luck

Steve and Richard. Notice good bar and fridge.

But he garnered energy for the ascent to the summit cross

Our circuit (with Peter’s heart rate colours). Lunch was at the gap by the red section lower left. We circled clockwise afterwards and rejoined the trail home, albeit a completely different route was intended. Too much English Whisky ? Also my watch stopped recording at the red mark on the road top right. We walked up the road for 500m to the Col de M.

Dent de Vaulion – Snow-Shoe Team – 11 Feb 2021

Attending : Marks W and W, Richard, David, Mervyn, Steve, Peter and new member Mike Hempstead.

The team of eight, or rather two teams of socially-distanced 4, assembled at the Pétra Felix parking some 2km past Mollendruz Col, on a cold and cloudy February day, under guidance of Richard mentored by Mark Wn. It indeed cold again with -7C expected so we had wrapped up for it. Our intended challenge was a 360 metre ascent of the Dent de Vaulion up a trail through the forest almost due north from the parking. Team 1 and Team 2 had not been assiduously delineated and we therefore took a fluid approach, as is our custom.

Richard had some trouble with his sticks. They were sticking and would not extend having iced up from a previous expedition. Richard employed the stuck stick under your vest technique – which seemed not to work. Hot (mint) tea may have worked on one, and I believe we discussed urine. A sharp thwack seemed to work finally on the other.

Very soon all but Steve donned snow shoes as we ascended gradually through the hoar-rimed trees. The snow was good and cold, but there was a slight wind in our faces and the sun was hidden. Exiting the (Schilliger snow-clad) forest the cloud thickened and the cold intensified. Before long, or rather behind Long (who finally donned snow-shoes before the summit ridge), we were soon at the summit itself and sorting to the main task, establishing the bar on a snowy bench by the summit beacon. Polish Slimowitz inside us we unanimously agreed to eat our lunch there and then standing around our excellent bar now festooned with wines from South Africa (Chenin Blanc) and Switzerland (Fechy and Luins), and other stronger potions. It was perhaps the coldest lunch on record, but we were warmed from within and by the spirit of the two virtual teams at arms length, there assembled as one. Absent friends were duly toasted. The sun was ghostly and never came through strongly, and the expected summit views were indeed terrible, or rather just cloudy. Many subjects were thoroughly chewed over including Brexit, COVID19, vaccines, rugby, the EU and the state of the world. And dogs.

All too soon, or perhaps not too late that we froze in place, it was time to leave our summit summit. Both teams opted for a direct descent along the same route and after Long we were back at the cars. Mervyn duly brought out some reviving glue-wein that he had been portering.

A memorable outing with a summit summit meeting in real winter conditions.

Photos : Watts, Saynor, Long, Taylor

Exiting the forest and into cloud – Steve still on boots… Richard working on his second stuck stick

Tree with snow, and Peter at the forest edge

Steve, now shod, and Mark Wn enjoying the white stuff

David heads for the summit exiting the white trees

As much sun as we saw that day. Two girls in the background turned down offers of vino.

Snowshoes to the virtual bar on GMR

Mark Warren had chosen a splendid day for participants, 7 of us in all. The conditions were nye-on perfect. Cold, no wind, bright sun, deep powder and a fine hike in prospect up Grand Mt Rond (GMR) and back over petit.

Marks W and W, David, Richard, Steve, Mervyn and Peter attended with apologies from Drew, Rob and Philip.

We assembled and set off from the Col de la Faucille where every establishment and lift including the loos were shut up and boarded in this time of pandemic. Nevertheless there were quite a few folk out and about, including herds of tiny French tots on snow shoes, as well as many others on raquettes and back-country skiers, with a not un-small number of happy dogs (when he grows up next year Kobie is coming!). It wasn’t long before we were stepping gently up the forest trail in fir trees covered in sparkling powder and before long the tiny tots were left behind and we were out in the paradise of a Jura winter and into the glare of a fine sun.

It is fair to say that most of us reflected afterwards that this had been a best-ever and indeed magnificent temperance outing on snowshoes, certainly of recent times. This may have been due to short memories, or partly the fantastic conditions and views and partly due to the numbers of bottles of wine we consumed with social distancing on the top of GMR, accompanied by sandwiches, digestifs and coffee, all of which followed Richard’s Grappa surprise. We toasted absent friends, perhaps several times, as well as fraternising with a pair of Geneva old-timers who had somewhat absent-mindedly forgotten to bring alcohol to the summit. The only thing missing was a bar (to be remedied if we can find a lightweight portable one on the internet from China). Duly sated we flowed down the creamy thick, crystal powder of GMR and cruised across to the Petit Mt Rond amazed by the snow formations on the trees and cornices. After a full team photo shoot on a wooden bar (too small for our future use) we then slid back down the unpisted ski-run of PMR, some of us prostrated on poly-bags.

A truly memorable and staggering day. Thanks to Mark Warren for organising such a day of perfect conditions and raising the bar. Looking forward to many more. Onwards to vaccinations.

But not in quite such surreal conditions

We wandered over to the top in this photo before returning to open the bar, avoiding the cornice.

Gr-apperos, of mixed and dubious origin.. at the socially-distanced virtual bar.

View to the closed facilities over on PMR

Steve surfs a giant wave – perhaps not realising it…

At PMR the temperance team contemplating a decent descent, and a successful and memorable day out in this time of pandemic. Quel raquette!

4th annual Dave Knewstubb memorial ski outing, Jan 19, 2021

Four of us converged on the Swiss side of Portes de Soleil for the first outing of the season: David, Mervyn, Steve, Mark.

The sky was clear and the weather and snow were great. We had to keep to the Swiss side but Mervyn and Steve navigated us expertly and made at least one of us realise that a morning’s skiing at Basseruche with his 4 year old granddaughter is not adequate training.

The French side looked strange being so deserted. All that wonderful powder and no lifts open.