col du Grand Ferret |
Grandes Jorasses
|
Day 7
Transferred by van to the end of the Val Ferret (L’Arnuva). Hiked to Ferret, Switzerland,
over the Col du Grand Ferret (8,372 feet). Stopped for lunch en route and viewed the
Val Veny, Val Ferret and a skyline dominated by the Grandes Jorasses, the mountain walls
behind the Pre de Bar glacier, Aiguille Talefre, Grand Combin (13,418 feet) and Mont
Dolent (12,542 feet) the summit of which is shared by France, Switzerland and Italy as
this is where their frontiers meet. The hiked ends in the Swiss Val Ferret. Today I
finished first. Somehow, I am getting my second wind of this tour. But my 2 toes are
now complaining and starting to blackened. Team B was getting stronger too. Today 2
other hikers from South Carolina (Richard & Spencer) joined us. Elevation gain:
2,500 feet; Elevation loss: 2,446 feet; Distance: 7 miles; Time: 5 hrs.
Pre de Bar glacier |
lunch at the col
|
Day 8
The hike took us down the Ferret Valley through small Swiss hamlets and beautiful
gardens. The hike ends with a climb to the picturesque lake village of Champex.
Our Chalet en Plein Air offered a good view of the lake. This was a hard day for me
because of toes. Elevation loss: 2,145 feet; Elevation gain: 1,400 feet;
Distance: 9 miles; Time: 5 hrs.
Champex |
Trient
|
Day 9
There are two hiking options today, one via the high alpine pastures of Bovine with
expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and the other, more difficult route, over the
ruggedly beautiful Fenetre d'Arpette. I opted the Bovine route. Most of Team A did
the more difficult route. Cheryl represented team B. We ended our day in the quiet
town of Trient. Elevation gain: 2,000 feet or 4,000 feet; Elevation loss: 2,500 feet
or 4,500 feet; Time: 6 hrs; Distance: about 9 miles.
Day 10
Today we bid goodbye to Art. Team A’s first casualty. Hiked from Trient to
Tre Le Champ, France, over the Col de Balme (7,230 feet). Lunch here. Crossed
into France at the col, with sight of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc
range with its dramatic peaks and glaciers. One more day of hiking.
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet; Elevation loss: 2,560 feet; Distance: 6.5 miles;
Time: 6 hrs.
col de Balme |
sight of Chamonix valley
|
Day 11
Hiked from Tre Le Champ to Chamonix via the "Grand Balcon Sud," with ever-changing views
of the Aiguille Verte, the Aiguilles des Chamonix, the glaciers of le Tour, Argentiere
and the Mer de Glace. Elevation gain: 2,500 feet; Elevation loss: 1,000 feet; Cable car to
Chamonix, distance: 6 miles; Time: 4 hrs. Farewell dinner.
who is missing? |
the Survivors
|
Day 12
Departed Chamonix for Geneva. I did lost 10 lbs. from this hiking trip. To see more
photos of the trek, go to url:http://joeytravel.com/v-web/gallery/Mt-Blanc.
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