With the border still closed, we on the French side of the border have become frustrated with the Hiking Group steeling a march on us, starting their exploits last Thursday 14 May.
So not to be outdone, the “GIN and French” sub-group group (Mark, Philip and Richard) went on an outing on Wednesday 20 May from the Chapelle de Rianmont, Vesancy up to the Baraque de Touppinet, a relatively easy 12 kms return walk with a height difference of 565 metres but given the state of fitness of at least this writer (Mark), that was enough of a challenge at this stage of the season. Fabulous views, superb weather, passable picnics.
We are in contact with our Swiss friends and hoping to arrange a hike where we can meet up for a picnic while respecting social distancing and our common frontier.
Leader Rob Pashley steered the first Post CV19 hike through initially foggy trails above Arzier. “I have run up this track” he announced as we looked on and pondered this incomprehensible feat. Nevertheless we managed the struggle up and along to Mt Roux for a fine lunch with whisky and ouzo with a grand view out over the lake to match. It was great to be back out with chums again, although we missed our cross border amis. The news came out the evening before, the border looks set to be open on 15 June. Bravo! Attending (with social distancing) :- Robert P, Mervyn, Drew, Steve, David C, Peter T.
Initial foggy startNot counting who was at Mt Roux Gentle descent. A decent start to the year!
Seven intrepid hikers (David, Frank, Mervyn,Paul, Rob, Werner and myself) met last Thursday at Les Bioux by the shores of the Lac de Joux and set off on an anti-clockwise direction around the lake. The weather forecast had not been too promising, so we were all equipped to complete the circuit in comfort. The path follows the shore very closely and is a mix of asphalt, grass, rocks, shingle and in places, wooden duckboards. Being on schedule, we stopped for a welcome coffee break in Le Pont and then headed off towards our lunch destination. After a short time, we were treated to the sight of a herd of chamois, who seemed quite unconcerned at our approach.
Watch out guys, it’s chasse time!
We arrived at Les Esserts-de-Rive all intending to have pizzas, but in the end, some of us had fillets de perche and the others, pasta with chanterelles.
When’s the wine coming?
The sun shone for the final push back to Les Bioux where cold beers were awaiting. We had covered 23 kms and according to my GPS, had climbed a surprising 250 metres, considering that the path was relatively flat. Thanks to those that drove – David, Frank and Rob.
This was the last planned hike of the season, but hopefully we can squeeze in another one before the snows set in.
Mervyn had organised a challenging 3-day circuit anticlock-wise of the Dents-du-Midi starting at 1600m at Chindonne, an Auberge above the Valais. Eight of us gathered on the Tuesday 17 Sept, in promising weather, at 8 am, five of us had spent the night at Chindonne (some slept better than others).
Mervyn had assembled a crack sauntering team. Sadly missed were our hiking leader David C, Thatcher and Mark W1, Mark W2, and Peter D. In all then we were; Mervyn Powell, Philip Jenkins, Steve Long, Frank Ekman, Robert Pashley (Treasurer and keeper of the purse), Richard Saynor, and Peter Taylor. 46 km and 2600 m denivellation were promised, but I think the deni was higher, especially for three of us who ascended the Haute Cime.
Day 1 comprised a long traverse along the N side of the DdM, ascending and descending quite a bit (Nepali Flat). The path was narrow in places, some fine bridges were passed, the Dents loomed high above us, the views were sublime and the company was clearly in fine spirit. A chamois was spotted close to the path. Spirits were not dampened (much) by the surprise that the lunch-spot eatery was closed. As we descended in hot sun before the final 500m climb to the Susanfe Hut, Frank decided (wisely) that he had done enough and retired with dignity towards Champery and home. That final climb was impressive and quite tough involving narrow ledges and chains. An exhausted crew of 7 slumped into chairs at the hut at 2100m with welcome beers and a trio of sheep-dog puppies to play with, before a fine meal of soup, spaghetti carbonara and a dessert, washed down with some decent red wine that our Treasurer (as always) assured us we had the funds for. We toasted absent friends. Pass the Pig was played and Steve scored a big zero, Jeremy and Mervyn winning the rounds, but Richard scored highest in total.
Day 2. An early start after a good breakfast gave us access to the desolate Col de Susanfe some 400m above the hut in partial sun. Here the team split with 3 electing to try the ascent of Haut Cime up 765m to 3257m. The saner 4/7ths descended to the hut planned for that night, the Auberge de Salanfe at 1900m where they tucked into a large lunch (despite having packed lunches from the previous Cabane) and telephoto’d the HC team on the summit. The HC team had struggled up the steep, loose and seemingly precarious trail to the top for spectacular views and the spotting of a bird unkown to Philip. The descent was not as bad as we expected it to be and we met a biker hiking to the top with his machine. Meanwhile the Auberge team spent the afternoon at the arsenic mines, wondering what use the arsenic was mined for. They also played trains and speleo’d the mine a bit. After beer and hot showers we sat down a feast of pork and pasta, washed down with some excellent wine our Treasurer payed for. Pass the Pig was won by Grand-Hog Rob, winning both rounds, the second in one turn.
Day 3. Morning before dawn, the fog was dark and dank and we set off up to the Col de Jorat 400m above. We caught glimpses of fabulous views through the spilling fog, out across the cloud blanket of the Valais, and up to the sunlit soaring towers of the Dents. An endless switchback path 1100m down to Mex challenged our limbs, but the coffee and tart we took there compensated somewhat. Oddly we were ahead of schedule, this had not been a day of pure sauntering. Too early for lunch we set off on a 3 hour and 600 m hike up back to Chindonne. Peter forsook the short-cut (for a change) but one member took it. Congratulatory beers were taken before a fine lunch provided by Edward the friendly American owner of the Chindonne Auberge. Thanks to Mervyn for organising impeccably, to Rob for keeping our finances regular and to all for their fun and good company.
29 Aug 19. Richard Saynor led a fine hike up almost 1000 m in fine weather from la Chèvrerie. Our team with Richard comprised Mervyn, Philip, Frank and PeterT. Lunch on the summit of the Pt de la Chalune (2116m) gave us a fantastic view across atmospheric mountains. A circuit of the peak concluded we enjoyed a welcome beer at the hostelry. Magical day. Thanks Richard.
Summit photo. Peter, Philip, Richard, Mervyn, Frank (in front)
15 Aug 2019. A team of six started out on the 720m ascent from Noiraigue to the Creux du Van (in the Jura above Lac Neuchatel) on a day promising mixed weather. In the event a pleasant hike, masterminded by our intrepid leader Peter Drew, up took us to a superb overlook and the start of the Creux itself and where we were joined by the general populace who had walked over from the upper car parks. A quick shower (which brought out some interesting gear) refreshed us and we were soon back down into the dryer forest and a very convivial and warm lunch at Ferme Robert, where all but one of us had saucisse rôti and röesti but where all was washed down with the usual fine beers. A very pleasant visit to this Swiss treasure.
Peter, Frank, Mervyn, Mark and Thatcher yearning to be off..
5 intrepid GIN hikers set off from Coppet on a sunny day but with forecast
A man with two right boots…
clouds for Chamonix. The sun shone all day however and we had a splendid hike over the Prarion summit (1931m) up 820m on a fine and airy ridge from Vaudagne. One member attempted to start the hike with two right boots but managed to fit well in to Peter’s running shoes which were only a few sizes too big. After a steady ascent and summit traverse with admittedly stupendous views we calmed ourselves with some Brasserie du Mt Blanc Bierre Blonde on a terrace at the top with similar stunning views up the mountain, memorably also of the train crawling up to the Nid d’Aigle. The Aig. du Midi and the whole Mt Blanc wall of rock and ice saluted us. We stumbled back down through the cooling forest, dodging speeding bikers, but with some fine memories. Attending – David College, Robert Pashley, Mark Warren, Mervyn Powell, Peter Taylor.
Gins Mervyn. Richard and Peter with aspirant from Evian, Freddie, scaled the Dent d’Oche which sits at 2222m (or 2221m). With over 1000m of denivellation, up some atmospheric heights, using chains and with some scrambling, this is an interesting and challenging hike. The chamois were not scared of us and provided some good photo ops. A memorable day with good chums. Thanks Mervyn for organising and driving, and to Brian Hardy and Denise for the showers, dip in the swimming pool and tea and cake above the Lake at Evian.
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.
