Category: Snowshoes

Seven optimistic stalwarts (David Colledge, Nathan Finkelstein, Philip Jenkins, Robert Pashley, Richard Saynor, Bill Westermeyer and Mark Warren) met on time at the Givrine for our first snowshoe outing of the 2022-3 season. It was raining and as anticipated very little snow so no need for snowshoes.  

That didn’t dishearten us and as “Winter Wanderers” we set off, dreaming of those white Christmases of bygone years and in particular the exact same trail taken five years ago to the day. Dream on, because the Jura is still very sparsely covered.

Progress was swift and we soon passed the Genolière stopping for our usual liquid refreshment of coffee, etcetera. The coffee was excellent as always and Richard didn’t disappoint with the etcetera; although mixing the two together was not a success. At the same time the Vermeilley phoned to have confirmation that we were actually coming. They couldn’t believe that anyone would be “brave” (stupid?) enough to come out on a day like we had, and in truth we were the only ones out other than a few chamois and a nutcracker showing off its white tail tip as it vanished into the trees. 

The Vermeilley even without snow is a lovely refuge; the table was laid for us and the log fire was roaring. A lovely homely feeling and the fondue was excellent. We toasted absent friends and reviewed the various excuses for acceptability. But it was the Christmas season of goodwill so we were generous, giving one out of ten for the need to stay at home to help prepare for a do!

And so back to the Givrine for a hot chocolate before returning home.

An outing to be repeated if and when we have snow.

Nine kms and 200 metres height difference.

Written by s/s leader Mark 2Rs.

Dreaming of a White Christmas (Vermeilley 22 December 2017)

And back to reality (22 December 2022)

Snowshoe outing

Written by Mark Warren (only posted by PT)

The highest point in the Jura, the Crêt de la Neige (1718m) provides on a good day some of the best views of the Alps as well as the Jura and despite a slight haze Tuesday 1 March was a good day. Just as important it was windless. 

Taking the télécabine from Lelex up to the Catheline, six of us set off on the well-marked trail. There was still enough snow to warrant the use of snowshoes but if it does not snow again, this may well be our last outing using them. 

The going was relatively easy with slight slopes to begin with and then there was a steeper climb up to the top. Half way up, David had a snowshoe catastrophe as the rivet holding the strap onto the shoe came out, making the shoe useless.

Thankfully Nicolas had the ingenuity to think of and implement a solution – he used his key ring to join the two parts together which enabled David to continue with no further incidents. 

To quote Hilary Sharp from her guide to snowshoeing in the Alps: “There are many reasons to toil uphill, but one of the most satisfying is to see the ever-widening vista”, and we weren’t disappointed as we first saw the Alps from a relatively narrow viewpoint and then the full skyline once we reached the top.

These views from the top were well worth our efforts and we stopped for our picnic just short of the summit gazing at the panorama, with Richard and Drew offering the aperitives. 

The summit team went on to that objective while Philip and Mark ambled on the return route. Understandably, the return was more rapid than going, so it wasn’t too long before we reached Franck (and Laos) at the Refuge la Loge for beers.

Conversation covered many subjects, including of course independence – but this time, Rob please note, we were talking about Ukraine.

The total hike was 9km with a height difference of 410m. A lovely day out on a classic hike. Thank you the drivers.

Participants: RichardS, DavidC, DrewM, PhilipJ, NicolasU and Mark2R  

Some of Drew’s shots  (reduced in size for this site)  :-

             

Richard and Mark 2rrs led this fine excursion (9km and just over 300m) on a perfect day from La Givrine (1207m) to Cabane Rochefort (1385m) for lunch and La Genolière (1348m) for coffee and tart. Conditions were pretty much perfect. A crisp, cold morning blessed us with blue skies and warming sun, with plenty of snow in similar excellent condition.

Six punters including Mark 2tts, Mervyn, Philip and me, set out with a large hairy blighter called Kobie. Generally throughout the day in my opinion the dog was as well behaved as the punters. The SS trail meandered up eastwards to Combe Grasse in two large snow-crystal bowls.

There were few folk about and spirits were high. Kobie could not wander too far from the trail as he would otherwise sink into the slightly crusty snow.

We ascended the easy ridge with alpine views up the the Cabane Rochefort in time to establish ourselves on the only clear table in the sun, with a fabulous view out over the lake to Mt Blanc. The Cabane being closed, we were free to picnic with our own beverages, and Guatemalan rum quickly made its presence felt again. We are now into stylish Stanley shot-cup technology as initiated by Rob, but they don’t work well with hot coffee..

Very soon the quiet of our day was somewhat disturbed by a band of 40 or more teenagers out on a school snow-shoe expedition and who had chosen to lunch at the same Cabane. Somehow this disturbed our quiet, but not us, and indeed Kobie had much fun trying to beg for additional nutrients.

White and red wines, coffee and some sausage sticks, cherry tomatoes and crisps, sandwiches and fruit, with plenty of treats for the hound.

Having covered rugby, cricket, the Winter Olympics, Boris and partygate, Brexit, COVID pandemic, Scottish independence, the coming economic crunch, Ukraine, gardening and a toast to absent friends, it was time to leave. Happily the crowd of students had departed and we were quickly on our way over to La Genolière for coffee and promised tarts. It was busy but we waited a few minutes for a table. Kobie played with his chum the resident hut doodle resuming their play from several previous visits, the first a year ago.

We spent a pleasant further hour or so outside at La Genolière over coffee and fine apple tart, albeit Mervyn’s chosen vin cuit tarte was admittedly somewhat diminutive.

There remained a pleasant amble back through the forest avoiding the main walking trail, albeit it was a tad unpleasant for me as my (already troubled and overused) knee-tendons gave way just before the cars. The pain was worth it for the great day we had had. I am now in recovery mode. Kobie is fine. With thanks to those who put up with him, especially Mervyn who had a neck wash on the drive up.

PS For those who heard it, the impenetrable Monty Python RAF banter goes like this:-

Idle : “Bally Jerry, pranged his kite right into the howsyourfather; Hairy Blighter, dicky birded, feathered back on his sammy, took a waspy, flipped over onto his Betty Harpers, and caught his can in the Bertie”.

Palin inter alia : “Sausage Squad up the blue end ?” and “Bunch of monkeys on the ceiling, sir! Grab your egg-and-fours and let’s get the bacon delivered” and “Cabbage crates coming over the briny?” etc..

A motley crew of 5 assembled on a sky-blue and sunny but windy morning at the carpark at La Givrine to attempt a circuit to Chez Mamac for lunch at La Cure, anticlockwise. Good snow, not very recent but deep enough for snow shoes to be needed. Attending Mark2Ws, Richard, David, Nicolas and PeterT.

Apologies were received from various characters, some of dubious merit. They missed another good one.

We set off (after a quick tot of rum in Stanley cups) on our raquettes following a trail up into the forest, turning up onto a smaller one-raquette-wide path into the ever denser woods.

It was nice going, out of the wind as sunlight filtered through the pines.

The trail meandered left and right, up and down.

We were shortly back on a ski loipe but veered off it towards the right with hills towards the Noiremont in view. No helicopters were seen. A greek fellow in orange called Adulostas? was spotted shadowing our progress so we invited him into our party.

This was fine easy going and we breasted a gentle col in fine powder with spindrift blowing across the crystal surface.

We sped downwind across and over into the valley leading to La Cure.

Other snowfolk were out enjoying the conditions as we approached Chez Mamac, where Richard had indicated the wind would be particularly strong. Happily conditions had eased and we were able to sit at a table outside in the full sun sheltered from the mild breeze.

A most convivial lunch indeed. Trifon fondû and rösti, followed by crème brûlée and tarte citron, washed down by suitable beers and wine, followed by coffee.

As I recall it, perhaps not well, we deferred any vote on Scottish independence to a later date when we could interview a main protagonist. There was some negative sentiment expressed on Boris’s chances of staying in his role. Nicolas seemed pleased when he was told he could come dogging without a dog, albeit he said he wanted to get one. Kobie would also be pleased in that case.

Our route back involved a crossing of the rail and road routes over the col, to a trail in the cold woods to the south. This was a pleasant and fairly uneventful march back to the car, enlivened by the odd antics of Richard who proceeded to prostrate himself on the snow twice within 10 metres. We wondered whether he was trying to express something to us about how much he loves the white stuff.

Richard said he never falls… and then did it again.

We arrived safely back at the cars 90 minutes after leaving the restaurant, still in the slanting rays of the January sun, albeit we could see low cloud hovering above St Cergue and threatening to spill up onto us. Lucky lads, fun outing with fine company. May there be many more. About 9km and 250m denivellation.

Mark promised 8km, 400m deniv, mixed weather but great food and a warm welcome at La Loge and we were not disappointed. Assembling at the Crozet lift at 9.45 am saw Leader Mark, Guido Richard, and punters Philip, Mervyn and me. We packed snow shoes, emergency gear and not a lot else. We wore our warm gear and sunglasses and after the Eu 9 tickets purchased by Philip we ascended the lift to the station at 1300m in bright sun and blue skies with a potential for a cold N wind higher up.

Recent snow and below freezing temperatures portended excellent conditions and indeed we immediately donned our raquettes to head off rightwards away from the ski pistes and up an icy track dusted with blown snow, heading for the Col at 1560m.

We made good progress in the bright sun and we soon in sight of the summit for the day enjoying magnificent views in the cold air.

This was a very pleasant and yet mildly strenuous ascent.

It was not long before we reached the viewpoint summit col.

At this point Richard brought out some strong liquid which he served in cracked cups – we need to invest in some Pashley goblets. Rum from Guatemala (sic) had us dancing in the wind.

From the viewpoint it was an easy descent down the other side past the Lelex lift and snow blowers across through snow laden firs to La Loge 140m below the col.

We received very warm welcome from Franck at his window from which he served us aperos outside on the banquettes.

Suitably revved we entered the Loge’s warm and welcoming saloon. Christmas lights and a large warm stove, a friendly smile from hostess Kate underneath her mask and we we soon tucking into sausage and Jurassien Croute washed down with some suitable red. We toasted absent friends – they were sadly missing a really great lunch, and outing, as we missed them. We also toasted to all of us still being the right side of the sod.

There were only a few other diners and we were treated right royally, taking our desert tartes around the stove, even playing a game of chess – Richard’s first in several years and he played a blinder.

Franck came over with a box of Genepi, mental note for shopping list. Right. We were ready for the off.

Which of course required an ascent back up to the col. Where had the sun gone? Instead of blue sky we were in cloud and a freezing wind. But we were suitably fortified and were soon back at the col and descending powdery slopes on the way home.

Altogether one of the best snow-shoe outings I have been on. La Loge is highly recommended and it is reachable with not a lot of effort. Thanks again to Mark. Here’s to many more.

It was grey when eight stalwarts (Richard S, Paul S, Mervyn P, Drew M, Philip J, Bill W and the two Marks) plus new boy (Nicolas Ulmer) set out in falling snow from the Givrine railway station on the well-marked, and familiar to most, trail to the Vermeilley Refuge. But that wasn’t how it started. It was sunny on the way up to St Cergue with the trees covered with the previous night’s fall of snow but soon after, into the clouds we went. There were hardly any other people, the fields were covered in smooth and untrammelled snow and even the path was free of the usual hundreds of footprints indicative of its popularity. Our leisurely ascent was disturbed by two motorised sledges carrying supplies to the refuges – the first, the Genolier, was closed but no doubt preparing for a weekend opening. Kobe’s friend from last year was running around happily. So, on we trudged leisurely to the Vermeilley which, as we knew, was open. Here Richard left us to return to meet his son for lunch in St Cergue (this was less leisurely as it only took him 50 minutes).

It was lovely being back in this Refuge; in fact, it was almost like being back home since we had it to ourselves until one and then a second individual arrived. The beers flowed, then the charcuterie, fondue (what else!) and apple tart. In the absence of Rob, Drew kindly offered the Scottish fluid.

The return was too easy for some, with one Gent doing the “angel” in the snow requiring help to get up which had his helper sprawling in the snow in his turn.

Attending : Marks W and W, Richard, Steve, David, Peter.

Apologies : Rob, Drew, Mervyn, Philip (apologies for missing any)

According to Janet and Pam’s guidebook (with our experience in brackets):-

” CRET DE LA NEUVE – Alt. 1494m

Difficulty :       Easy undulating walk along the top of the Jura
Map:                 Nyon-St Cergue, TopoRando 1:25,000

Height gain :    348m (450m)

Length :​ 10.5 kms​ (12.5 km)

Time :​             4hrs

Start/Finish :​ Col du Marchairuz, 1447m, where there is a hotel (shuttered)

Signposting :​ Good in parts –yellow diamonds and arrows (confusing)

Observations ​

On a clear day (it was hazy) the Crêt de la Neuve has one of the most magnificent viewpoints in the Jura. There are three display panels (were useless to us) giving the names and heights of the alpine peaks on the horizon, starting from the Bernese Oberland on the left, the Mt.Blanc and the Dents du Midi ranges ahead, the mountains round Lake Annecy and finally the Chartreuse in the Savoie on the extreme right. Below is Lake Geneva (hardly discernible) in its entirety with Geneva and the jet d’eau clearly visible to the right. The flowers in late May are glorious. “(The February snow was marginal but it was worth taking the snow shoes).

Blog :-

A team of six started from the Col at 9.30 am on a bright and sunny day, albeit there was a haze reminiscent of Delhi on a clear day for Delhi. Peter had chosen the Cret de La Neuve after suggestion from Mark Wn and directions from Janet/Pam. There was in fact little choice left in the Swiss Jura after such a warm spell and in truth we held low expectation for snow, indeed some were loth to even carry snow shoes. Only Steve outlasted the day without using them (but he lugged them around). We saw only three other people all day and the trails were deserted in the fine weather. Underfoot the snow was spring and firm to soft, but plentiful and the going was steady with no ice.

Ignoring the ladies’ instructions (anticlockwise) we opted for a potential clockwise route albeit it did not quite turn out that way. After a pleasant two hour saunter following disconcerting and very fresh wolf tracks, we cut up the steep final slope (but not the mustard) to the summit, offering the gift of a bottle of water to the gods.

On the fore summit we were greeting by very friendly labrador “Milton”, the nefarious wolf, and his owner who had skinned up on skis. They soon both hared off leaving us the summit stone wall ring for our bar and picnic circle, safe from any remnant wolves. We could have been on an ocean liner in the mist with Swiss flag flapping very gently and the sun shining down above us. The views above the forest were very hazy.

The normal temperance meeting started with some aperos from Richard, mine was a Marc, before we move on to Luins and Fechy white. There followed some truly excellent grappa from David, and a fine but mysterious English whisky from the Watts’ collection, and also hot coffee therefrom. We toasted absent friends and Deborah Powell who was entering hospital that day for surgery. As per our rules, the lunch conversation was fulsome but private and will not be put on record. I believe we did solve a number of world problems as well as airing grievances while admitting blessings.

Richard had to get back home early to change ovens so he hoofed off leaving us to chew the fat a little more. Time to go and Steve did the honours and visited the summit cross for us. Peter then led the tribe back through the wilderness, turning unknowingly in the haziness of the lunch, in almost a circle, but oddly following the trail of a lone snow-shoer that could only be Richard.

We had found ourselves back on the incoming trail. There was nothing for it but to retrace our steps along the pleasant forest trail, following the trail of Richard. We made it back in the heat in time to match the guidebook, but having completed 450m deniv and 12.5 km. Not bad, memorable and enjoyable. Incredible weather for February.

Steve and David sensing our luck

Attending : Marks W and W, Richard, David, Mervyn, Steve, Peter and new member Mike Hempstead.

The team of eight, or rather two teams of socially-distanced 4, assembled at the Pétra Felix parking some 2km past Mollendruz Col, on a cold and cloudy February day, under guidance of Richard mentored by Mark Wn. It indeed cold again with -7C expected so we had wrapped up for it. Our intended challenge was a 360 metre ascent of the Dent de Vaulion up a trail through the forest almost due north from the parking. Team 1 and Team 2 had not been assiduously delineated and we therefore took a fluid approach, as is our custom.

Richard had some trouble with his sticks. They were sticking and would not extend having iced up from a previous expedition. Richard employed the stuck stick under your vest technique – which seemed not to work. Hot (mint) tea may have worked on one, and I believe we discussed urine. A sharp thwack seemed to work finally on the other.

Very soon all but Steve donned snow shoes as we ascended gradually through the hoar-rimed trees. The snow was good and cold, but there was a slight wind in our faces and the sun was hidden. Exiting the (Schilliger snow-clad) forest the cloud thickened and the cold intensified. Before long, or rather behind Long (who finally donned snow-shoes before the summit ridge), we were soon at the summit itself and sorting to the main task, establishing the bar on a snowy bench by the summit beacon. Polish Slimowitz inside us we unanimously agreed to eat our lunch there and then standing around our excellent bar now festooned with wines from South Africa (Chenin Blanc) and Switzerland (Fechy and Luins), and other stronger potions. It was perhaps the coldest lunch on record, but we were warmed from within and by the spirit of the two virtual teams at arms length, there assembled as one. Absent friends were duly toasted. The sun was ghostly and never came through strongly, and the expected summit views were indeed terrible, or rather just cloudy. Many subjects were thoroughly chewed over including Brexit, COVID19, vaccines, rugby, the EU and the state of the world. And dogs.

All too soon, or perhaps not too late that we froze in place, it was time to leave our summit summit. Both teams opted for a direct descent along the same route and after Long we were back at the cars. Mervyn duly brought out some reviving glue-wein that he had been portering.

A memorable outing with a summit summit meeting in real winter conditions.

Photos : Watts, Saynor, Long, Taylor