Category: Hiking

5 intrepid GIN hikers set off from Coppet on a sunny day but with forecast

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.

 

Continue reading “GINs Hiking – Ascent of Le Prarion 18 July 2019”

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.

 

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.

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

 

Just upgraded the web site to WordPress 5. This gives a more powerful editor and much easier to use, so they say!!

Thought I’d test it by inserting a blog from a hike we did 3 years ago. Thursday May 19, 2016. This was led by Jonathan Harle with Rob, Thatcher and Mark.

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It was pouring with rain when we left the parking at Divonne and snowing heavily when we arrived at Col de la Faucille. Not the sort of weather we expected in May. Still a great hike, even if it was a bit short because the weather deteriorated so much that pretty soon we could not see the trail at all. All the trail markers were covered in snow or obscured by the mist. There are some steep drops we wanted to avoid so we headed due North until we crossed one of the ski lifts and got our bearings. Then we were able to plot a route back to the restaurant for a warming coffee.

Although Jeremy has now moved to England he asked to remain on the distribution for the hiking group in case there are any more 4 day hikes in the future.

I’ll ask Jeremy to update his details in the web site so we’ve all got his address and phone number.

GIN Hikers have been actively taking advantage of the fantastic weather with day hikes to Pic Chaussy, (August 28)

Tour d’Ai above Leysin, (September 11)

which turned out to be somewhat more demanding than anticipated!

and a magnificent 4 day adventure doing the

Tour des Muverans (September 16-19)

via the rather spooky valley of Derborence

(which had been decimated by a major landslide in the 18th century)

and magnificent views from Chalet Rambert.

Many thanks to David for initiating the day hikes and Thatcher

for his excellent leadership of the TdM.

Commiserations to Peter and a speedy recovery for his back condition

which limited his participation.

Jeremy, Thatcher, Stephen and David enjoyed a spectacular hike in superb conditions around the Gastlosen range above Jaun.

David, Peter (who took the photo) , Thatcher and Jeremy enjoyed a 17km loop hike over the Dent de Vaulion in perfect conditions despite the bise. This included a surprise lunch in the “Trois Coeurs” in the village of Vaulion.

Thanks to David for initiating and organising.