{"id":2286,"date":"2021-08-06T13:12:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T12:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/?p=2286"},"modified":"2021-08-18T11:22:57","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T10:22:57","slug":"gin-hikers-mont-dhermone-5-august-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/2021\/08\/06\/gin-hikers-mont-dhermone-5-august-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"GIN Hikers – Mont d\u2019Hermone – 5 August 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Twas with some trepidation that we set out to tackle the Mont d\u2019Hermone on 5th August. \u00a0Partly, because we had to traverse Geneva with its early morning traffic and roadworks and partly, because the weather forecast was following this summer\u2019s unpredictable pattern. \u00a0Well, the former was not a problem at all and everyone arrived in good time at the small unpronounceably-named village of Reyvroz in the depths of Haute Savoie. \u00a0The latter did become a bit of an issue but more later on that. \u00a0Seven stalwarts were in attendance and we had the pleasure of welcoming Keith Wynn to the group.<\/p>\n

The route that we would follow was included in Janette Norton\u2019s book \u201cWalking in the Haute Savoie (North)\u201d and apparently was her favourite walk and the last that she did before she sadly died in 2013. \u00a0It promised extensive views over Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Alps, so hopes were high, but somewhat apprehensive!<\/p>\n

Using perfect Swiss timing, we left the village as the church bell struck ten and sauntered off in good spirits. \u00a0We had hardly warmed up our muscles when we turned onto a steep, stony jeep track which ascended unrelentingly until we reached the ridge which forms part of the GR Balcon de L\u00e9man. \u00a0Although it was dry when we started and we were afforded beautiful views across the valley, the rain started after half an hour and rain gear was quickly donned. \u00a0The promised views from the ridge were completely obscured by the rain clouds so we could only use our imagination! \u00a0The rain was quite intense and two of us were not too shy to use our umbrellas!<\/p>\n

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Apart from a few deer, this rhino (previously identified as a hippo) was the only wildlife we saw<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The crew having a break<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We reached the chapel of Notre Dame d\u2019Hermone in good time and considered our options for having lunch in the rain. \u00a0There was a small ante-room to the chapel, the main part being barred by an iron gate, but as this was only a few metres square, it was certainly not conducive to eight burly hikers eating a picnic! \u00a0Maybe it was the aura of the place, but the rains miraculously abated and we could stand outside around an (some said – sacrificial) altar and enjoy our well-earned lunches. \u00a0These were washed down by Italian and Californian reds graciously supplied by Steve and Mervyn respectively and then, of course, Rob\u2019s special whisky of the day.<\/p>\n

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Our goal – the Chapel of Notre Dame d\u2019Hermone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Through the iron gate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the high altar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Still eating and drinking<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We left the chapel, and three ladies who were the only other humans we saw on the whole hike, and commenced our descent. \u00a0The rains started again and we cautiously picked our way down the rocky track. \u00a0Perhaps it was the euphoria of feasting on wild raspberries, or maybe the yearning to walk on different surfaces than jeep tracks, but we made the decision to take a smaller side path from the prescribed route. \u00a0Things then became a little tricky as there was a dearth of signposts and conflicting views on the direction we should head. \u00a0Anyway, using maps, various apps such as Google Maps and Maps.Me and blind instinct, we navigated unfrequented and sometimes, barely discernible paths to reach our destination. \u00a0Our route was not without our having to occasionally retrace our steps on some tracks which petered out and there were also a few slips on muddy slopes. \u00a0The hike organiser accepted unconditionally the full responsibility for all the confusion!<\/p>\n

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Descending a slippery slope<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u2026..and after a muddy fall!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A momentary clearing in the weather<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our first thoughts upon reaching Reyvroz were where we could quench our thirsts. \u00a0The advance party questioned a local who confirmed that there were no such premises before Thonon, but he was kind enough to offer us a beer chez lui. \u00a0When we told him that there were eight of us, he recoiled somewhat, although a neighbour called out that he wouldn\u2019t mind one!<\/p>\n

So we set off in convoy seeking some refreshment, but it was not until we saw a sign to the Port of Sciez some 20 kms away that our hopes soared. \u00a0After negotiating the most tricky entrance to a car park we had ever seen, we were soon sitting around a table by the marina enjoying a well-earned \u201cpression\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Back in the sunshine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, we got some good exercise, fresh air, fine drinks, good company, but unfortunately, not the extensive views that we \u00a0could have enjoyed. \u00a0Another time, maybe?!<\/p>\n

Attendees: Bill, Rob, Steve, Mark, Mervyn, Keith, and Richards W and S. \u00a0Regrets from the usual suspects, who were much missed.<\/p>\n

PS. Distance was about 13km and d\u00e9nivel\u00e9 750m<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018Twas with some trepidation that we set out to tackle the Mont d\u2019Hermone on 5th August. \u00a0Partly, because we had to traverse Geneva with its early morning traffic and roadworks and partly, because the weather forecast was following this summer\u2019s unpredictable pattern. \u00a0Well, the former was not a problem at all and everyone arrived in … Continue reading “GIN Hikers – Mont d\u2019Hermone – 5 August 2021”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hikes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2286"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2311,"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2286\/revisions\/2311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}