Tour de la dent de Chamosentze

Another cool geological outing in a place we drive by on the autoroute and barely even glimpse up at. Well, of course there are so many other peaks in the way that it is hard to see this one! Just snuggled in between Ovronnaz, Derborence and below the Muverans is the Dent (tooth) de Chamosentze!

It is worth going up to the Mayens de Chamosson to see the view of the Rhône Valley and accross to the Matterhorn and the Pierre Avoi. Quite spectacular, certainly with the morning fog.

Unfortunately we did not manage to do the tour of the Dent, as there was lots of snow on the north side. Cannot wait to do this when the snow melts next year, who's comming along?

Leysin

Wow, I had not been back to Leysin in a long time and I am not sure I have ever been there without snow!!! It was beautiful & fresh! We had a delicious picnic at the base of the Tour d'Aï & Tour de Mayen. After lots of geological blabla, which I am sure everybody understood....

I sure hope these guys get snow this winter. We saw lots of wild chevreuil & chamois hopping around between the frozen ground line and the unfrozen grass!

Lac de Louvie

Magnificent fall colors to get to the lac de louvie in the upper val de Bagnes. Fresh snow at the cabane.

In New Zealand they have signs up all over the place about their wonderful reflecting lakes, well ours aren't so bad either!

The steeeeep descent back to Fionnay with amazing views of the Massif des Combins, as well as Mont Blanc and every happy snow white peak in between!

Geology in the Chablais

First part of a majorly intense geology course started in the Chablais in France. It was a fun surprise to see the Dents du Midi hugging the side of the Grand Combins massif!

We spent the first day figuring out how to make a geological map - wow! I don't think these guys could ever be paid enough for the minute work they do! Not sure that I will ever make anyone do this type of exercise, unless we are stuck somewhere for days!

We went out searching for fossils in the recently melted snow around the limestone of the Mont Chauffé near Ubine one day. These little stars are not star fish, but a plant's stem which fossilized in the shallow warm seas which were where the alps now are.

By the end we walked in an area I have only explored covered in snow with skis, where one can walk on the continental crust & the oceanic crust simultaneously!

Lac de Salanfe

Just above the Rhone valley is a fabulous spot that brings you to the foot of the Dents du Midi. The fall colors are not quite out yet as we have not had a frost. But as we returned to the car we heard the 'brame du cerf', which is the mating call of the male deer. It was impressive, there were 2 deer in the valley and their ruminations were resonating loudly! I was super happy to come here today, as this month I am following a geology course on the region of the Chablais, which the Dents du Midi are a part of.

Fall in my garden!

Just a few of the goodies that have been ripening while I have been off guiding! What a delight to come home and find that they are still eadible! Now to prepare everything so that I can eat it during the winter months!!! Any ideas?

Horseradish

I have been watching this gorgeous leafy plant for 2 years now. I thought the roots would resemble a carrot or a potato, but they were alot thinner. I made some jars with organic raspberry vinegar & other ones with cider vinegar. Wonder if there will be any difference in the long run?

Another successful Cham to Zermatt trek!

What a great summer I have had! Thanks to all who joined up for all my tours, I really enjoyed myself! I mean look at the picnic spot here! Who can top that?!

Tour du Mont Blanc

 

Zermatt!

We did it!!!

And the Matterhorn was still there with us & a gazillion tourists taking photos of it!

Day VIII Gruben - Zermatt

ummmm....did I mention lots of rocks yesterday? Well there were even MORE today!

Just before getting to Jungu we got to watch a big daddy bouquetin (ibex) loftily munching on some grass on a death-defying slope below us.

Day VII Grimentz - Gruben

So much to say about today's hike, I really don't know how to cover it all!

Lots of rocks today!
Views of the Zinalrothorn that were unimaginable!
More rocks, granite this time!
Alpine lakes to dip into!
Rocks!
Hot sun!
Rocks!
Descent into the arolla & larch forests!
Arnica & bluebells everywhere!
Swiss-german to be spoken!

Yodeliiihiiihouuuuuu!
(that says it all!)

Day VI Arolla - Grimentz

Heat wave hit us for sure today! But I have to admit after the snowy hikes of July this year I am not too distressed at walking in the heat. The Grand Raid was ending in Grimentz today, so we had a lively time watching bikers and helicopters buzzing around the val d'anniviers.

Houseleek - supposed to protect houses from being hit by lightening. Maybe I should think about attaching some of it to my backpack on these hot days that end in storms?!

Edelweiss

Day V Cabane Prafleuri - Arolla

What a splendid view onto the Grande Dixence dam! Today we saw marmots & lots of edelweiss as we ascended to the Col de Riedmatten. Now this is not for the faint hearted! We made it just after a hail storm soaked us from behind!

A looooooong descent took us to Arolla for the night. The view onto the glacier & cows grazing right by the shining blue ice was spectacular!

What a day! Bravo! Cannot tell you how nice it was to take off my boots in Arolla!

Day IV Verbier to Cabane Pra Fleuri

We hiked from the Grande Dixence dam up to the Cabane de Prafleuri today taking advantage of the good weather to try and see some marmots. But I guess it was too hot for them, as we did not see any.

Day III Champex Lac to Cabane Mont Fort Verbier

Wow, what a beautiful morning to walk around Champex Lac before heading up into the alpine fields of Verbier.

After observing a blue heron we headed off to stroll up to the Cabane Mont Fort to watch the sun-set and have a yummy dinner on the terrace. Can't think of many better ways to spend a day! Ahhhh!

Day II Trient to Champex Lac

Sunny & beautiful day to arrive and plunge our feet into the glorious mountain lake in Champex. We had wild strawberries, rasberries & myrtilles the whole way - why bother carrying chocolate that melts?!? Oh yeah, because it is so goooooooooooood!

Day I Argentière to Trient

 

Started off with a bit of rain on our 10 day hike to Zermatt! Funny that as soon as we crossed the mountains into Switzerland the sun was shinning...hmmmm...!

Tour du Bec des Rosses

This is a hike for you if you like views, bouquetins & aren't afraid of heights!

We hiked up to the Col de la Chaux, over a bit of ice to get warmed up. After the col & the wild ibex in the sun, we got to the petit lac du mont fort. Unfortunately, it was too cold to get into!
We couldn't get away from the Massif des Combins! It was just amazing!

After a picnic on the rocks and observing the movement of glaciers on the landscape we followed the trail to the Col Termin where the Massif du Mont Blanc, Dents du Midi & a view all the way to the Jura awaited us for the rest of the afternoon!

What a beautiful backyard I have!

Sunrise on Mt.Fort

Not a cloud in the sky for this morning's sunrise at Mt.Fort!
It was a magical moment, although it started at 4a.m. it was definitely worth it!

There is nothing like coming all the way from Boston to see all the 4000 meter peaks of the Alps in the morning sun. Thanks!

Villars

 

Such a beautiful place to hike, even on a cloudy day!

Villars to Diablerets Mountain Biking

Sunshine - rain - mud - happy flowers - télécabines: old & new - bus rides...we had it all today!

So how many boys do I need to help me fix my brakes?! And where did the sun just go?

Lucky these guys have a hiking guide with them!!

Even a rainbow at the end!

Mont Fort Sunrise

Wow!
After all this rain in July, what an awesome 1st sunrise to have!
Was well worth getting up at 4 a.m!
Sign up for next week's outing with Téléverbier - Thursday.
If you have the annual lift pass you don't pay anything....tempting?!
See you next week!