Tuesday 14 June 2016

Alpine Trekking - the life of an International Mountain Leader (IML)

I'm off again... This time I'm in 'International Mountain Leader' mode, to the French Alps for some trekking with a group of students to hike a section of the world famous 'Tour du Mt Blanc' trail. 

It was a typically smooth journey, with only a few small hiccups along the way. These included some missing minibus keys, a lost passport (not mine!), a wrong name on a plane ticket, a full search at security (not me!), a race to the airport gate, a delayed flight, a late bus transfer and having finally made it to Chamonix, being locked out of the Gite, as the owner had gone to watch the Euro'16 football match! The next day however, we woke to a fantastic view..


The first day of trekking was a good acclimatisation day; up and over the Col du Montets. The weather was much better than forecast and we even got a little sunshine.


We came across a few Buccatain (Ibex) along the way, who were charging at each other and locking horns! (We watched from a safe distance!) Then afterwards, they'd kiss and make up...


We made time for a detour along the way and visited the big waterfall above Le Buet, near Vallorcine. And as luck would have it, the cafe had just opened! Got a well earnt brew before the descent.


Stayed the night at the very nice 'Bellvue Alpine Lodge', where we enjoyed a roast dinner and were allowed to watch the Euro'16 match with the owners in their living area. This alpine lark - it's not all hike, hike, hike! 

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