{"id":3697,"date":"2023-02-02T22:02:58","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T21:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/?p=3697"},"modified":"2023-02-02T22:51:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T21:51:02","slug":"2-feb-23-snow-shoe-hike-to-la-genoliere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ginclub.website\/home2\/gentsinnyon\/2023\/02\/02\/2-feb-23-snow-shoe-hike-to-la-genoliere\/","title":{"rendered":"2 Feb 23 Snow Shoe Hike to La Genoli\u00e8re"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The forecast for this hike had been coming down the pike a week before showing snow and cloud. In the event the snow held off (apart from some flurries while we were in have lunch) and excellent conditions for raquettes prevailed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten GIN punters and two dogs started out from the parking at St Cergue Tancouez (Alt 1050m). Rob, Richard, Mervyn, Stephen, David, Mark2rs, Nicolas, Nathan, Larry (welcome to GINs Larry !) and me (Peter) and dogs Onyx and Kobie. Our first task was to work out how to pay for the parking using various apps or coins; these new meters and parking apps are wondrous things…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We set off across and up past Les Mouilles and into the dark pine woods. We were soon out into the wide open fields (see photo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking back in the open fields with Mt Blanc visible <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was not long after this that Larry found that his snow-shoe technique was found wanting and he took them off for the rest of the hike. He coped admirably with the conditions thereafter in his Canadian snow boots. Even more amazing given that he turned out to be the most senior member of our party, by a good stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Off up through the deep snowy forest and along the well-pounded snow trail up to the Fruiti\u00e8res de Nyon. There were super views across to the sunlit Alps but we were covered by the cloud all day and I do not recall a ray of sunlight until we got back down to the plain at the end of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Richard, Stephen and Nathan close to the FdN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was time to revive flagging spirits and bodies with some vino and Epicuro and Reisling became evident. Richard’s genepi was kept back for the upcoming fondu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toasting the skies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Almost sunny<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cavorting hounds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rob <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mervyn servin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Al Fresco Aperos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Larry gets revived<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mountain Lawyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kobie happy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The wind was a bit chilly so we upped and left in the direction of Cabane Rochefort which we passed by just above and to the right of us. We were soon at the high point where the P team of 7 set off down Peter’s secret trail through deep snow forest. Rob led the R team of 3 down to the large tracks that traverse the Jura. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The P Team in the forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dogs generally keeping to the trail – the powder was deep<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Richard and Kobie in the deep woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Onyx, Richard and Kobie far out on the trail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking back by Richard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This very beautiful trail led us down eventually to an open valley some 60 metres below La Genoli\u00e8re – so it was necessary to hoof up a steep slope to gain the lunch cabane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Richard and Stephen and dogs head up the final slope<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking back down the slope just before La Genoli\u00e8re lunch spot
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On arrival at La Genoli\u00e8re (my regular Jura eatery), the resident and normally docile hound Moos proceeded to tear into Onyx, but diplomatic relations were soon re-established with Kobie’s help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fondu !<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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8 fondus and 2 croutes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kobie generally behaving <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once inside we were welcomed by the friendly staff and several other guests on the other tables. Warmth from the wood fire was welcome and we were soon into beers and apero platters of cheese and meats. It was a convivial and happy crew that tucked into the croutes and fondus. Larry began to identify us by our names and at one point Nicolas almost lost a lot of money in a bet with Larry about some obscure literary factoid (Larry read classics at the Sorbonne so don’t enter into any monetary argument with him about classics). There was some poetic discussion, nothing about Scottish independence, future events were aired, I think we all felt that it was just good to be alive. The fondu was warm and delicious, helped in no uncertain measure by the occasional pre-dunking of bread in genepi, as well as the fine chasselas (who’d have thought we’d be sitting here today drinking Chateau de Chasselas (Monty Python Hard Times sketch)).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n