Photos & Reports Index

Photos Of This Trip

Day 1:-After a 3.30am start for most people, we all met at 5.15am inside the airport terminal, to catch the 7am flight to Geneva. After clearing customs and baggage reclaim swiftly (managing to loose Andy in the process) we were greeted by our guide for the four days, Christian, who showed us the way to the mini bus. We crossed the border into France and headed for the beginning of the trek at Plaine Joux (1300m) at about 12 noon.

We followed the track through a forest to a gorge at Ayères des Pierrières where the path ascended quite steeply and even provided us with a bit of easy scrambling, sorting the men out from the boys !!!

Our first night was spent at Refuge de Moëde Anterne (2002m). Some of the group decided to take a shower (which was cold) while others ascended to the Col d'Anterne (2257m). On the col we were all joined by the sea mist, so as a result we saw nothing!! Returned to Refuge for dinner and we all had an early night!

Day 2:- Breakfast at 7.15am, so we could get an early start walking. We started walking at 8.30am with a gradual climb along the Naturelle de Passy valley, before a very steep climb up to the Col de Salenton 2526m, with neves all along the route! We stopped for lunch at the Col and split into two groups. Some of the group headed down to the Refuge over steep snow slopes, whilst the remaining mad ones made an attempt on Le Buet (3099m). Everyone managed to reach the top, with the final approach to the summit completely on snow, and the altitude made it slightly (!) harder work. The descent was quick with people sliding or skiing on the snow most of the way, then a long rocky descent lead us back to the Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard. John and Mark arrived to see the Non Buet peeps go straight into dinner. Due to the remote location this hut was very basic, one toilet between 40 people, so you had to get up early in the morning to book your place. Once again after a nice dish of soup followed by pasta we all retired to bed, only to have a much interrupted nights sleep!!

Day 3:- Breakfast was hearty Bread and Jam dunked in Hot Chocolate!! 8.15 start down the picturesque alpine valley towards the Cascade Revoir (waterfall) where we all enjoyed views and an ice cream. After visiting the cascade the group once again split into two groups. The easy option lead by Vicki accompanied with Sara's map reading, caught a train from Le Buet Village to Les Praz. From Les Praz a sort wander across the road to Le Flegere Cable car. On arrival at the cable car station it was brought to our attention that it was not working and would not be for the rest of the day...Great !!! How do you tell 5 tired, heat exhausted people that they have got to walk for two hours more than they were supposed to in the heat of the day......after all this was supposed to be the easy option!

Everyone took it in their stride and we made our way to the cable car at Plan Praz, from the cable car we all enjoyed a very pretty balcony walk to Le Flegere. While the easy option was turning out to be a bit of an Epic the others were heading for the Col Des Montets where they started a very long, steep, Zig Zaggy climb, which also included ladders to 2352m and Refuge Lac Blanc.

The easy option's arrival at Le Flegere was accompanied by quite a large thunder storm (It just gets better I thought, now I have to negotiate with 5 tired, heat exhausted people that they have to walk under the thunderstorm, holding metal poles! ) eventually we started the long walk up to Lac Blanc to be met after 10 Mins by Christian and Mark to the rescue, these were followed by John and Gordon, each took a rucksack and we were all helped along the path to the Refuge.

Dinner: - once again soup, then pasta accompanied by some kind of meat ball (actually a very nice piece of lamb (?), not a meatball!! - Andy) ...nuff said!! Lights out at 10pm

Day 4:- 3 peeps from the group managed to be awake at 5am to see a fabulous Sunrise, take some great pictures, and see the magical reflections come to life in the lake. Breakfast usual time, then a short walk above Lac Blanc. Returning to our ruck sacks we started the path down towards Flegere and the Grand Balcon Sud towards Le Brevent. Some of the group members decided to head down for lunch in Chamonix at this point!! Andy, John, Steven and Clive all headed for the le Brevent cable Car to have their highest pint of the trip!! These people were lead to believe this was the descent, but it actually involved quite a bit of climbing!! Worth it when we got to the cable car though, especially as they had no idea how to charge anyone entering at mid point, so we got a free trip up to the top and back down to the bottom!

We all met up about 4.30 ish to enjoy a drink together in Chamonix, to reflect on the trip and catch the mini bus back to the airport. For our first international trip it was a great success.

Trip Report by John Hadley with Vicki B and Andy chipping in !!

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