I don't think that we could have fitted much more into our penultimate day in the valley. We started off with a 350m long route up the slabs at Le Mottets.
It's been a while since Clare and I climbed a long route together and it was great fun swinging leads and getting high up above the forest floor.
We moved fast and linked several pitches together in long 60m sections. There's no shortage of bolts and the rock was good.
Best of all though, was that 5 minutes from the top of the cliff is a small 'buvette' selling drinks and snacks, included fresh omelettes. Yes please!
We sat back, enjoyed the food, rest, shade of an umbrella and views of the Dru and the Mer de Glace. Magic.
On the way back home, the best was yet to come. It took about 45 mins to hike back down to the car and instead of driving straight back to the pad, we stopped at the lift at Brevent, where a paragliding school is based. It took about two minutes to establish that they had two pilots packed and ready to fly. Ten minutes later we were riding the lift with them and ready to take off. While the wings got unfolded and strings untangled, we giggled with excitement of the spontaneity.
There were basically no instructions, we just donned the kit and ran off down the hillside!
After about ten steps, the wing filled with air and we were lifted off our feet in a giant whoop!
Being later in the afternoon meant that there were strong thermals and we were able to climb higher that the peaks of the Aiguille Rouge. An incredible feeling.
Below, the town was laid out like a map and I could see our house!
Knowing I was a climber, we did a flypast of the cliffs I'd climbed recently.
As Clare was partnered with someone who competes in the French National Championship of Paragliding tricks, we saw them doing spins and loop the loops. We did a few g-force inducing manoeuvres but that was enough for me - I was happy just to enjoy the ride and the views.
Last month in the heatwave, some pilots had been able to fly across to and land on the summit of Mt Blanc from where we had taken off. Incredible! Much better that walking (and probably safer too!).
The landing was smooth. It had felt like ages up in the air, but had only been just over half an hour.
A van picked us up and took us back to the car. We'd only been gone an hour! Bonkers. We went home and despite the buzz, instantly both fell asleep. All was not over though. I still had a free ticket for the alpine luge! A ten minute walk across town got us there an hour before it closed, but there was still a big queue. We don't queue. Instead we got a beer at a quite table, then half an hour later, once everyone had left, we took the last ride of the day!
By now it was gone seven, so walked back through town where we were surprised to find all the shops still open. We each bought a new top and got a famous 'steak and frittes' toasted baguette to keep our energy levels up.
More food and another nap at the pad, meant we had just enough psych to head to the Maison des Artists for some Salsa Dancing. There was a huge thunder storm in progress now and the lightening seemed almost continuous.
Had a few spins and made it home for midnight totally spent..... Not a minute had been wasted.
Les Mottets:
- Voie Caline, AD- 3c**
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