Valley, Mt Blanc
Valley, Mt Blanc
  • TMB done and dusted
    • 28/08/2015
montreux sunsetmt blanc skylinewell earned beer
With the scorching heat returning the last few days have been dusty paths on an arid south face, gasping for the next water source while paragliders circle overhead and day trippers step off the top of chair lifts without raising a sweat... The wild camps have been brilliant though, peaceful and with stunning views over the chamonix valley to the mt blanc peaks and glaciers.
The end of a trip is always a bit sad and reflective as I contemplate going back to the normal life which I have successfully managed to not think about for the last two weeks.
Descended into the hustle and bustle if the valley today after witnessing some stunt helicopter piloting delivering supplies to one of the mountain refuges.
After an ice cream I took a trip into chamonix itself which would normally be heaven as it has a branch of every outdoor brand shop under the sun - however this week is ultra marathon week, and today 2000 endurance athletes set off to do a similar 168km route to me but in 24 hours. so the place was a bit mental.
Feeling the need to relax I have taken three trains through the alps (impressive engineering) to end up in Montreux of jazz fame on the shore of lake Geneva.
Immediately after checking in I dived in the lake which was a m a z i n g.

Quick thanks to all those fellow tmb-ers I met along the way, it gives me hope and confidence to know that like minded people are out there and I hope we meet again someday somewhere!
  • sunshine and wifi
    • 25/08/2015
fenetre du arpettetop of the world
both welcome after two days of low cloud and rain, and a beer exploding and soaking everything else in my bag! all dry now but with a distinctive fragrance.

Today was a steep scramble to fenetre d'arpette with stunning views and plentiful bilberries. two days to go...
  • TMB update
    • 22/08/2015
mt blanc camp

Great phone signal but international roaming seems to be blocked for outgoing signals in my phone so updates restricted to wifi opportunities which are obviously limited!

ok day 4.
After a grey and drizzly first day the weather has been blue skies and scorching sunburn, with the views getting better and better also.
Camped the first three nights including the photo above, wild camped at 2500m looking across the valley to the peak of mt blanc and its glaciers. it was chilly but beautiful, clear starry skies and solitude.

The trail is popular and it has quickly become tiresome greeting all and sundry with Bonjours, (and now Bonjourno) especially when in all likelihood they aren't even French. Saying that, I have been enjoying the enforced opportunity to practice speaking it.

Onwards to Switzerland tomorrow!
  • je suis arriver en geneve
    • 18/08/2015
big fountainunique sign
consider this the one warning/apology for the bad French grammer of which there is certain to be more.

Spent the afternoon hoofing it around touristy bits of Geneva, and bothering sales assistants until I finally tracked down a libraire selling the map I need for tomorrow.
Then booked a last minute transfer so I should be in Les Houches for a mid morning start (after a small supermarket stock up)


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