Gentlemen in Nyon
Thanks to Stephen for leading the hike which replaced the intended route above Morgins owing to mixed weather.
Taking the path from Chéserex up to the chalet de la Dole, breaking for lunch at La Barillette and descending to our starting point, we covered 27 km and 1000m dn. A good test for our molets and preparation for the season.
Participants: Stephen Long, Mervyn Powell, Robert Pashley, David Colledge.
Just 4 of us: Peter Taylor (leading), Mervyn Powell, Bill Westermeyer and Mark Watts (lagging behind).
To Vinzel via Abbeye de Bonmont, Peter’s 62nd time up this hill this year (but he’s not counting) and Mark’s 2nd (ever), and Genolier. Lunch at au Coeur de la Côte and back more directly. Perfect weather throughout. Only disappointment was the restaurant had run out of filets de perche.
Total trip just under 50 km with 400 m of climbing.
Creusaz above Bernex, Haute Savoie was the starting point for our second hike in 2019. Rising from 1200m our path took us mainly through woodlands to the summit of the Grand Mottay at 1730m.
Crossing over to the ridge of the Memises for our picnic, we then took the ridge walk of Balcon de Léman. En route we met a group of bouquetins before descending the Col de Pertuis down to Creusaz. Over beers afterwards we found we had clocked up 12.5kms taking 4.30hrs; only regrets, cloud cover prevented us enjoying the superb views across the Léman.
Had a good turnout of 8 hikers: Mervyn Powell, Thatcher Shellaby, Stephen Long, Mark Warren, Robert Pashley, William Westermeyer, David Colledge (leader) and Freddie Westbrook, an invited friend of Mervyn.
best
P
We had a very pleasant bike ride which included lunch at Givrins today, sheltering from the storm (OK showers). 
Photos came out sideways, as did we…
Our hike started from Chevrier taking a steep footpath through trees and rocks almost 500d to reach the crête at 980m. After 1.30hrs walk along the crête taking in view points on the south side
we descended more gently down to Chevrier taking in a chance encounter with a lama; altogether about 3.30hrs followed by a very reasonable lunch at Restaurant du Vuache.
A good start to the hiking season with snow hanging around higher altitudes.
Peter Drew, Mark Warren, Mervyn Powell, David Colledge
12 members of this fast expanding group celebrated St George’s Day in style by penetrating this large mixed deciduous and coniferous forest at a
perfect time of the year. Leaves were bursting forth their spring greenery,
tracks were dry and we had the expanse of the Bois de Chênes almost to
ourselves. Whilst no Sangliers made an appearance and bird song was rather scarce, our group and its various conversations made up for whatever nature did not provide.
As always, the Auberge de Coinsins – one of GIN’s favourite lunch locations
– offered us a wide-ranging selection of lunchtime and a la carte meals,
enjoyed outside in the sun, on their large terrace.
Watch the website for news on forthcoming walks, all of which are of course open to all our GIN members. Also, do offer us new ideas for future
expeditions, please. Alan Baker”.
Thursday 5 April saw Mervyn, Thatcher and I venturing up to Glacier 3000 to try out the half a metre of powder that had fallen the previous day. A pity that I had not practised powder for quite a number of years. Perfect conditions but less than perfect powder technique. We skied every run. Some twice or more. A brilliant day.
Fourteen of us on a little known walk from chateau Voltaire in the centre of Ferney to the airport perimeter fence and back by a different route. Ably guided by Richard Saynor with Mark Warren as sweeper. Most then had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
