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End of Season hike to La Genolière for a fondu etc in a snow storm.

The weather forecast was dreadful. But was it going to be dreadful enough to hike in ? In other words, cold enough to be a blizzard. It looked to be promising, at least before 3pm when a warming trend was expected to be coming in, so I planned a short hike in a snow storm.

And 11 signed up to join me and Kobie. Mervyn and his mate Steven (soon to join GinClub ?), Nathan, Rob, RichardS, PeterD, PeterS, Drew, Ralph, Philip, Paul.

In order to avoid worrying about sliding down the hill on thick snow in cars after the hike, a train ride up and down from Sus Châtel to La Givrine was proposed, with a hike to La Genolière Buvette avoiding the main trail. Mervyn decided to test his car.

Rob was to join at the Joy Clinic, thus the remaining 9 and a dog boarded the 10.37 train at Sus C welcoming Rob aboard at the next stop. The blizzard was scheduled to arrive at 11.07 just as we de-trained at La Givrine. It did.

As we rose up, tracking the edge of the forest, the intensity of the snowfall and wind increased, at least behind us..

We passed through a gap in the wall and traversed a field up to the ski trail ascending the forest.

As time was passing I avoided a slightly longer planned “holiday” route alternative in order to reach the Buvette by noon or shortly after.

We were soon welcomed inside, the log fire warming the dining room, Moos the hut dog, an old friend, welcoming Kobie. There were no other diners, unsurprisingly. Once inside I sensed that the spirit of the party had suddenly risen somewhat, and we were soon ensconced on two candle-lit tables.

Fine beers were swiftly deployed as was warm bread with mountain cured meat. It was not long before the hot cheese arrived and our table opted for pinot noir as accompaniment. Moos and Kobie feasted on an extensive chew selection.

The food was good as was the craic, and the beers and wines. Discussions covered many subjects (including recent lynx sitings) and genres, including a toast (on Table B) to absent friends. They were missing a treat.

In due course the dessert course arrived, succulent apple tart, not dry like the usual mountain fayre! The Bohemian Kirsch in Richard’s epic bottle, at 90° proof, went down well and was to inure us to the tribulations ahead.

With an eye to the time, we needed to leave in order to catch the 14.48 train at La Givrine. Any later and the warming weather would be drenching us. We settled the two bills in cash and made our way out into the swirling snow, now noticeably sleety. Unhappily the way down would be straight into the wind and flying ice.

The hot food and libations meant that the sleet was hardly an issue and we made it down in good time for a farewell to Steven and Mervyn at the station, the train arriving on time, as we knew it would.

All went well and on the way down I made a speech bowing out of the hiking lead for 2024 and handing over the reins to our new Snow-Shoe Leader Rob, who had been handed the gavel (or ice pick in his back) by Mark2rs (who is taking on the Walking Lead).

The winter season starts in 2 weeks.

It was a good end – except that we forgot to press the Stop request button before Sus Châtel and had to travel on to the next stop – Genolier. Given that I had just resigned I did not feel responsible. Oh well – more denivellation to record.

In the end I made it 253m and 6.7km. This was perhaps a lunch with a walk, but under the conditions just what was needed to round off the Hiking Year. Oh, and I left my scarf there so Kobie and I will be back for more pie this weekend.

I shall post my record of hikes soon. And organise a lunch with spouses in January. Thanks to all for the fun, and especially to those who led hikes. And thanks for befriending my hound (those of you who did -like all of you).

Eight hikers and one dog gathered in the mist at the St Cergue Tancouex parking to catch the 9:58 am train to La Cure: Mervyn, Richard S, Nicolas with Onyx, Nathan, Stephen L, Ivan, David C and Peter S (leader). Around Col de Givrine the little red train broke through ‘band de stratus’ into bright sunshine and the group disembarked at La Cure (1,153m) in a bouyant mood.

The trail passed Restaurant Chez Mamac up to Chalet Les Coppetes (1,321m) for a short break before continuing up the valley passed L’Arziere (1,445m) and a righthand turn towards Cabane du Carroz (1,508m). On approaching the cabane, Kobie came bounding down the path with a smiling Peter T not far behind to complete the surprise!

Happiness filled the air as the group broke out sandwiches and snacks with wines from Spain and South Africa topped off with additional spirits from Richard’s bottle and Mervyn’s hip flask.

There was some discussion about the return of President Trump – not predicted by a majority at our monsoon lunch two weeks earlier.

Reassured that we now had a leader who knew where he was going, we began the descent through the woods to reach the road from La Givrine to Vermeilley. After a short stretch on the road, Peter T turned right onto his secret path that tracked through scattered forest, stone walls and leafy glades to reach a style just short of Cabane Rochefort.

Emerging from the forest passed the A-frame house we were greeted with a broad view of the Leman basin covered in mist with the Alps faintly visible in the distance.

At the junction to Chalet Derrière, we parted ways with Peter T and Kobie as they turned right towards La Givrine and we continued on to Chalet Devant/Fruitières des Nyon (1,333m).

After hearing we had come from La Cure, an elderly French couple offered up the bench in front of the wall which was a clear sign that we needed another break. The impressive views were complemented with coffee (absent milk or sugar) and chocolate McVitie’s.

After a short stretch on the path down towards La Borsatte, we were back in the mist which persisted all the way back to the Parking lot at Tancouex to complete a hike of 15 km with denivelation of 493 m. Peter T with Kobie clocked 12 km and 425 m denivelation on their tour from La Givrine to Cabane du Carroz and back.