A group of GIN members assembled at Palexpo halle 7 on Thursday November 11 to assist Gary with his volunteer work. We were there to pack food into supermarket bags which will then be distributed to people in Geneva who are going hungry as a result of Covid.
The first thing we learnt was that we were not supposed to be there at all – all volunteers had been stood down due to the increased Covid incidence in Geneva. Gary had not go the message. So we went ahead and filled supermarket trolleys with shopping bags and filed past piles of food picking up an item of each for each bag. At the end of the line we unloaded the bags where other volunteers closed them and placed them in crates where they will be taken to 5 distribution centres in the city.
We actually did very little work and finished by 10 but we felt very virtuous. This was only the second time the GINs turned out for this, poor Gary does it most days.
Richard Wiley, his son Nial, Andrew Nievens, Gary Vannater, Paul Sochaczewski, MarkThe food stations, we start at the shopping trolleys at the far end
A short hike to take advantage of the warmer weather and get the CH contingent out on the hill, sadly missing our French chums in their second lockdown.
A group of six assembled at La Givrine (1208m) to attempt an ascent of our local peak by a little-known route, via the Pointes de Fin Chateau and Poéle Chaud. Peter T’s luck held as he found the right combination of unmarked paths (to Paradise) up through remote woods to the ridge near the PdFC (1555m) emerging to sunlight and magnificent view. The clear air allowed views for miles and miles to far mountain horizons. We meandered up to the Pointe de Poéle Chaud (1628m) from where we spotted 5 chamois disporting themselves in the autumn light. A warm wind was blowing and Peter D was indeed brave to be up and about in his shorts (this is November !).
A traverse of the Col de Porte (1558m) allowed a final pull up to La Dôle (1677m) from which the view was even more magnificent. We sat out of the wind by the huge golf ball eating sandwiches and supping the necessary beer and wine; Mervyn excelled himself by carrying a bottle of Dôle to the summit of La Dôle with not a drop passing his lips – he is attempting to achieve a dry November. Chilled white was followed by warmer reds (the Dôle and a Montepulciano), a fine temperance hike for the rest of us – albeit the Scottish fluid was not in evidence. We raised a glass to absent friends.
After picking out distant peaks including the Matterhorn, we eventually gathered ourselves together for the relatively simple descent back down the ski run and forest trail to Couvaloup, then getting very close to the quiescent locked-down border, meandering in warming sun back to the cars at Givrine. An early return allowed time for chores, me to help with gardening and make a déchetterie run. Attending : David C, Mark Watts, Mervyn, Peter D and Peter T, Rob.
We reach the ridge and the sun.View from the ridge to the Alps on or way up to the Pointe de Poéle Chaud. (Colledge)And another
Looking back to the Col de Porte and the Pointe de Poéle Chaud from the Dôle ridge.
Doling out Dôle on La Dôle by dry Mervyn.Usual shotSurveying paradiseEssential kit for a serious temperance hike. (Powell).
Leader Mark Watts had proposed a challenging day – ascent by the Orbojet Cave, lunch at the Auberge des Montagnards at La Croisette, traverse of the Salève summit, descent by the Grand Gorge and return to Le Coin.
Refreshingly perfect weather saw 10 (Mark W and Mark W, Mervyn, Steve, David, Rob, Philip, Richard Wiley, Drew, and Peter T) of us assemble at 10am at Le Coin, minus Arthur, honorary member, who had apparently had to isolate after some of his family (or their contacts) tested positive for Covid. Next time Arthur.
We rose steadily up the switchback path, mildly damp in places from previous days, but with not yet many fallen leaves. Steve and I went ahead to research Le Coratterie, while the main team explored the Orbojet cave at leisure.
Spectacular views of the Alps and the valley of Geneva at the top were revitalising with not a cloud in sight and hardly a breath of wind. More revitalising were the beers and convivial lunch, beef, frites, quiches and tart myrtille. In view of the impending difficult and somewhat arduous descent of the Grand Gorge to come, perhaps as a nod to safety, little Scottish fluid was evident, albeit it could be found.
Setting off from the Auberge, although some missed recognising them, the main group encountered Pamela Harris and Alan Norton. Well met, Pam signed a couple of our guide books. On the summit plateau sleepy cows framed the Alps while large white sheepdogs jealously guarded a large flock of sheep and goats.
So to the bombe surprise, the Grand Gorge proved indeed a long, tiresome, steep and somewhat tricky descent, with endless slippy switchbacks. Eventually however remnant stragglers meandered safely back to Le Coin under swooping parapenters in glorious sunshine. Philip even got a ride in a Porsche. Between 700m and 800m deniv, and 14.5 to 17 km according to variants. A great day out which required hot bath followed by Scottish fluid or similar to effect a start to recovery. Merci Mark!
Orbojet explorersOrbojet advance/variant partySteve on the Coratterie variantSteve and GenevaTart timeTart 2Tart 3Not the Swiss flag…Cow summitCow summit 2Summit party with Mark WattsSummit party with Richard WileyStarting the Grand Gorge descent – some roads lead to pain…Parapente afternoon – looking back up. Shame we could not finish with a beer.
A small team headed from God’s Crossroads to Bonmont in weak sun, via Nyon, Prangins, Trelex and Gingins. We arrived home before rain and news of Trump’s virus. Very pleasant B179 for me. Thanks Steve for organising.
There were 14 of us (Alan B, Brian A, Bryan C, Trevor D, David S, Tim G, John B, Mike C, Mike P, Paul S, Phillip J, Richard S, Tom B and MarkLW) and a dog who set off down the Grand Rue towards the Pont de Grilly/Pont Bugnon). Grilly has a history going back to at least Roman times and was famous in the 13th century for a certain Jean de Grilly or Grailly who effectively ran Aquitaine for Edward I of England. Its actual bridge which dates from the 17th century was the principal crossing from the Mont Mussy to Coppet until the development of Divonne; it spans the River Versoix (the boundary between France and Switzerland) and there is still an albeit unmanned customs post. Mme de Stael famously escaped from France to Coppet over it.
Our walk continued along the riverside towards the Moulin de Grilly. This Moulin is privately owned but there is an interesting explanation of the use of watermills in the Pays de Gex – including wood cutting, diamonds for the watch trade, generating electricity and of course food. At this time, we had beautiful views over both the alps and the Jura and could see woods and fields with little evidence of human construction. A grey heron, a great white egret as well as crows gave a safari aspect with horses making the loudest noise.
After a loop of five kilometres, we were back at our starting place by the Auberge de Grilly where ten of us concluded the morning with an excellent lunch.
A lovely morning which was further improved by only having the rain when we came out from lunch.
There were 4 of us: Dave, Trevor, Gary and me, on a very still day. The weather forecast had been for a sunny day but had changed its mind at the last moment.
We motored across almost to the other side of the lake and somehow managed to sail back almost to Crans while all on board thought we were still heading for the French side. Maybe this is a reflection of how soporific it all became.
We still had a good time and got back to Port shortly after 4 to sort the boat and have a beer.
Greatest excitement was when Mark tried to turn the boat around so that Trevor could get on easily. Manoeuvre would have gone perfectly if I hadn’t forgotten to untie the rope to the mooring buoy. I was wondering why the boat behaved so strangely and managed to drag the buoy about a metre out of position. Oops!
Thank you for inviting me to join the Gin club. Gary Vannatter recommended your organization, as I very much enjoy golf, biking, boating, snow skiing etc…
Steve recalibrated this hike after the weather forecast seemed to preclude Morgins and the higher hills. Instead he chose the Barillette attracting a further 9 of us who signed up for the promise of a good hike and the possibility of a tasty fondue. Initial attempts to find the right trail were frustrated by loggers and at one point we descended back 60m downhill on the trail of pain. Happily Steve found the trail to paradise and even the sun came out. About 1000m up and about 3 hours of gently toil saw us at the mast for reasonable views over the lake.
Lunch at the Barillette was indeed worth the hike and we shared the cheerful room with a group of Swiss trekking tennis players who included a Swiss horn player. After beer, wine and a fine fondue (for 80% of us), and some Scottish fluid, we were serenaded to some fine horn playing/wind music. Tarte maison, coffee slipped down well and we fell out into some wet weather, but actually it stopped pretty soon and we enjoyed a pleasant descent to the cars at Bonmont (albeit some Bonmont regulars did not recognise the Bonmont cycle road and attempted a repeat ascent). Attending Steve, David, Philip, Mark W and Mark W, Mervyn, Peter T, Richard, Rob and Thatcher. Apologies from Drew M and Peter D. Total up 1030m. Distance unknown to me. Just in time before really bad weather came in, including snow to 1200m predicted.
Sun comes out on the ascentApproaching the summitThree hour before the mastFondu full aheadWith ChasselasThe Schublig and chips end Mark dips in Horn corner concertoFilming the hornThe Hornli Hut..Mike Horn ?Actually Pascal Loutan loutanp@gmail.com – Cor Des Alpes, Architecture, Atelier Proteger
Message from our leader.
Thanks for your patience as I considered the similar-looking roads to paradise or pain (and sometimes made the incorrect decision). However, we reached paradise (the Barillette restaurant) at the alloted hour and managed to avoid the pain of the real storm that hit later in the evening. We lost electricity for half an hour in the evening after one impressive lightening strike. As you say, a memorable walk for the turn out, the restaurant, the alcoholic consumption and, of course, the alphorn playing. Looking forward to reading the blog! Regards to all,Stephen
We were 10 on today’s walk. We walked beside the Versoix river down to Versoix, then back up to the starting point along the canal. Most people were unaware of the route we took and so it was very successful. Then 6 of us had lunch in Les Gravines, and very good it was!
The starting point is directly underneath the autoroute at the point where it is elevated at the Vengeron. If you take the back road behind Versoix heading towards Geneva, you find the Sports club of Versoix, then a bit further on you pass Les Gravines Restaurant. The starting point is to the left immediately after that restaurant and directly under the autoroute where it is easy to park.
Yet another beautiful sunny day, albeit with a strong but warm Bise wind. Four of us assembled at Lac de Divonne and set off in the usual direction towards Bonmont, at a leisurely pace untroubled by any possibility of forming a Groupetto behind Steve, who was otherwise occupied. Having dispensed with the formality of Bonmont we sidled down for a coffee in Givrins before swooping down to the Les Aberiaux restaurant by the port at Prangins for well needed beers and al fresco lunch. We toasted absent friends, who had really missed another great and not too challenging day out. A good lunch – beef/octopus and chips and coffees before winding our way back to God’s Crossing. Attending : Mervyn, Mark Watts, Peter D and Peter T.
Bonmont againLunch Les AberiauxPT and MWttDomestiques
