Category: Hiking

Raid (almost) on St Cergue 1 April 2021

April Fools Day. But the weather did not fool us and it was a sunny and warm start for four of us from the parking in the forest above Trelex. Rob, Thatcher, Mark Warren and myself. Having read that the IWCN rules require members to arrive 15 minutes early, I arrived well before 10am, as did the others so we set off at 9.58am. Unhappily however, Stephen had mentioned during a beer after an exhausting bike ride 2 days earlier that he would also join the hike, but I had forgotten this as I had no paper work in front of me. After 7 minutes along the trail I got a call from the slightly late Mr Long. Rob went back to fetch him and after apologies from the leader for being an April Fool the five of us started up the dry and stony trail through stunted oak and beech towards a distant St Cergue.

The initial sparsely wooded ridge allowed expansive views across the forested valley to Genolier and back in the other direction to Geneva and the Alps. Not a cloud in the sky! It was T shirt weather. The unvaccinated among us had our vaccine dates fixed so we were in good cheer. Life was good and the banter steered clear of Scottish politics. Some worries surfaced of the impending French lockdown and its impact on upcoming golf plans. Passing 10 minutes on the sturdy commune bench allowed us to gird ourselves for the steep hike ahead. The leader had only a sketchy knowledge of a middle section resulting in a “holiday-route” up though brambles and some words for the leader, but we were soon back on the trail. We encountered large boundary stones with “SC” and “N” carved on either side (answers on a postcard). A path to the right then skirted a cliff and led up to the under-girth of St Cergue. The cone of snow cleared from St Cergue streets blocked the track but we were soon past and had an encounter with three chamois. There followed an enjoyable picnic lunch on benches overlooking the valley out to Mt Blanc in the distance. Johannisburg, NegroAmaro and Lagavulin were on the drinks card.

Our descent commenced along the cliff to the parapente overlook and the usual amazing view. Rob provided impeccable guidance back down trails he runs up and down regularly, and added a fine detour through the gorge. We were soon back at the cars – a good first outing 2021. 580m denivellation and 12.5 km.

Apologies : Peter D, Richard, Paul, Gerry, Mark, Philip and others – who missed a sunny and pleasant hike.

At the overlook

Tree trunks and logs.

Dear GIN Hikers,

It is my privilege and honour to be taking over the hiking lead role from David who has valiantly led the group for several years but has now passed it on to me (we should have a celebratory lunch in his honour). It was a difficult year for hiking but we managed some good outings last year. Let’s home for a decent unlocking and for more happy days in the sunny uplands. 

As before the schedule will involve alternate Thursdays with perhaps a longer outing in mid September, with volunteers stepping up to lead as they choose. There is so much to aim at and perhaps with varying levels of challenge and difficulty to suit the capabilities and desires of the electorate. Before the pandemic we used to meet up at the Divonne Lake carpark in France. Maybe we could return to that sometime soon. We shall also aim to include lunch terraces where this is possible. 

A key feature of our hikes should be safety. I will be carrying a first aid kit. We shall consider plan B escape routes where needed. 

I have put my name down for 4. Please feel free to let me know if you will lead a hike (or two) of your choice with selected date(s). Ideas for the Long”weekend” in September are also welcome.

Outline Schedule (If the forecast is poor then we may postpone etc or abandon as fits). 

April   1   Peter (to be advised late March)
April  15
April  29
May  13
May  27    Peter
June 10 
June 24
Aug    5
Aug  19
Sept   2   Peter
Sept 16 (Long “weekend”)
Sept 30 
Oct   14
Oct   28   Peter

It is likely that Stephen will choose the other alternate Thursdays for bike outings.  

I will send out a separate list of ideas for possible hikes, shortly. 

Looking forward to a safe and virus free year in the hills.

Best wishes

Peter 

Friday 20 Nov 2020

A fine day for a rapid hike up the “secret” and secluded path from low (648m) down on the St Cergue Road, to the Barillette restaurant (closed in the pandemic) at 1447m. 800m then. No need for a picnic, this was to be a training “raid”.

Mervyn called off for a valid reason and Peter D is not available Fridays. All our French crew were locked down. Others were isolating. So a small band, Mark Watts, Rob, Steve and myself launched up the trail.

It was sunnyish but cool weather, with a fresh dusting of snow above 1100m that made the upper forest look like Schilligers before Xmas. We made it up in 1h 45m and down in 1h 20m. We were back home for an early lunch. It was good to feel the snow again and even better to sip some Scottish fluid at the high point. Now the secret is getting out, about this straight-up training trail – to try to get fit on. NB – sticks are useful.

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.

Looking back to the Col de Porte and the Pointe de Poéle Chaud from the Dôle ridge.

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!

Thursday 27 Aug 2020.

A motley crew of 8 led by Rob Pashley started off from the Col du Marchairuz 1448m in fresh mountain air at 9 am in fine sunny weather. David C, Drew, Mark (Watts), Mervyn, Richard S, and two Peters D and T were in attendance. Fresh dew and sparkling light saw us swiftly across to Mt Tendre 1678m in regulation 2.5 hours, after much up and down. Spotting the Chalet du Mt Tendre a kilometre further away and 60m down we arrived for an unexpected terrace lunch involving beer and various versions of rösti, assisted by Canadian, Italian and Scottish firewater which helped the coffees go down, as well as speed the return traverse. On the way back, Rob’s pork pie which was beginning to get legs of its own was torn apart by voracious hikers. Great views and a fine hike were rounded off by beers and panachés at Marchairuz. Memorable again. According to Richard, grosso modo, 17 km and 700 m denivellation.

A small team of 3 assembled at 9 bells on the Col de la Columbière in fair weather, promising heat. Our route in Guide Franck was described as 618m dénivellation, and 3.5 hours. We had a suspicion, proved correct later, that it was closer to 980m and 6 hours with stops. We left the crowds at the Col (oddly, all going up the other side of the Col from us) and after a pleasant traverse we headed up through la Combe des Fours (with distant bouqetin) and on up left on a narrowing flower-filled crest to the Pd’A. Over 30 lammergeiers were whirling in front, behind, above and below us as we gazed out on fantastic views including the dominant N face of Pte Percée and lady Mt Blanc in the wings. Returning via the same route then up towards Tête d’Auferrand where we took lunch and some reviving Scottish fluid. Fine views of the Jalouvre from the top of the Td’A gave rise to an interesting descent to the Col and large panachées. Attending and suffering from leg cramp – Richard, Robert, Peter. August apologies – from the rest of the team.

Steve had chosen a fairly gentle 22 km and 600 m deniv hike for us on 23 July, albeit it was billed at 10% to 15% less than this. A hot morning and the forest trail up provided shade – and stickiness. Fine clear views from the view point gave way to terrapins, coffee and bells at St Cergue. A clockwise route up and through field and forest brought us to a lunch spot at the edge of the forest with a fine view above Arzier where some 40 kites whirled above us. We meandered down and explored the cool glory of the Bois de Chêne before downing some welcome and refreshing beer at Pashley kennels (thanks Rob!). Thanks also to our leader for a very pleasant outing.

Attending : Steve (leader), Rob (Beers), Philip, Mark Wn, Peter T.

Apologies from – you know who you are… sorry we missed you.