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Friday, August 28, 2015

Lac Léman Walk

This is such a great spot with the lake & mountains, all the best Switzerland can offer. You can go into France as well as change cantons and hop from Vaud into Valais. This is also the start of a hike up and over mountain passes to Chamonix.

There is even an outdoor art exhibit

A nice flat walk for a change!
At the end of the lake, there is a bird sanctuary with wild reeds and dragonflies and flat paths.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Glacier in Verbier

Yesterday was a cloudy day, and I rode the lift up to the top of Mont Fort 3330 meters above sea level. The glacier under the lift shared by Verbier and Nendaz is called the Glacier de Tortin, it is the one you ski on if you come up here in winter.

In the morning I had read an article that says the Mont Blanc Glaciers are going to lose another 8 to 10 meters of volume before winter! So here are the photos of our disapearing glacier, with some alarming new crevasses.

I predict that this glacier will become unskiable in the next 5-10 years.

At the lift station at Col des Gentianes. Looks forbiden!

Nice photo to look at when there is no view. The lift people where a bit upset that the lift is now only going to be open on week-ends. Too bad!

The view appeared for a spiiiit second!

How will this enourmous crevasse be filled so we can ski on it this winter?

Quite beautiful patterns

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Wild Passes in Val Ferret

The val Ferret is still a relatively wild place to hike. In this day out we can cross 2 or 3 passes to get a good close view of magnificent glaciers. The passes lead from Switzerland into Italy and one is very popular with the hiker's doing the Tour of Mont Blanc.

Little man, big glacier! Although the glaciers are dissapearing at the alarming rate of 1 meter per year (and it is visible to me in the past 15 years of living in the Alpes) they are still something to ponder and gaze at.

The Mont Dolent

Walking up to the blue blue sky!

Larch trees and a beautiful balcony walk above the valley are really worth visiting once. There is a place you can spend the night at, or just have a crôute au fromage at just around the corner!!

St. John's Wort - a sunny happy flower!

I hope I can tempt you to come here with me for a hike once!

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Tour du Grand Chavalard

This is such a great tour to do. If you are fit it is possible to do in one day.

If you spend a night in the newly renovated Cabane you can take the time to swim in the Lac Supérieur de Fully! As well as stare at the sunset on the Massif de Chamonix & the sunrise!!

Just one of many insanely beautiful views on the second day, as we wander above Ovronnaz.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Verbier Extrême 2015 & new summits

Today was the Freeride World Tour's 20th time on the infamous Bec Des Rosses. I did not watch it, but as I snowshoed around a new summit (for me) on Savolèyres, I watched the beauty of all these mountains instead. The val de Bagnes is really an exceptional place and I am so lucky to be able to live in its beauty. I hope everybody had a beautiful day!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Lots of lost snowshoeing to do in Verbier

Everybody thinks Verbier is a busy busy and crowded place, well not today! We had all the sun and all the mountain to ourselves. It really is a pleasure to be out on days like this.

Only see wild animal tracks! What a beautiful way to get to know what is going on in nature by trying to figure out what animal passed where you are about to set your snowshoes!

Massif des Combins with the Verbier Cross-Country-Ski trail. Empty & sunny!

Bruson in the sun with the Massif de Chamonix behind it and the Trient Glacier all covered with fresh snow!

Glacier de Corbassière looking every shade of blue beyond imaginable!

I almost feel bad touching all this virgin snow!

Bench in hibernation at altitude - not ready for a picnic yet...

So many awesome options for hiking and snowshoeing in the val de Bagnes!

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Super snowy verbier

Fantastic day to be out roaming the forests with snowshoes on!

The lichens were covered in powder, giving the trees an extra white fuzzy look!

For some reason it is always hard to explain the lichen. If anyone has any tips, please share them with me.

On the way back down our tracks were practically invisible with all the snow falling. It was awesome!!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Awesome day along Bisse de Levron

Some groovy ice formations are appearing with all this sunny weather!

These little wings are what hold the pine nuts that all animals are after during winter. The squirrels, birds, and rodents are all leaving them strewn all over the forest floor. They come from the Norwegian Spruce (épicéa) pine cones. I find them extremely difficult to extract, but they are tasty!

Of course the Massif des Combins was ever present in the incredibly blue blue sky!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Super Snowshoeing near Verbier

Just a little drive away from the tourist center of Verbier lies a fabulous area to snowshoe in. There were lots of animal tracks, & views from Verbier to the Saint Bernard regions - not much is missing!

Views towards The Entremont Valley & Orsières

Fresh powder tracks!

Not often that someone is willing to walk infront of me and make my snowshoeing day easier! Yippee & Thanks!

Old troll beards hanging off the trees!

Picnic & tea spot under the frozen roots of a larch (mélèze) tree which fell over. It is amazing to take the time to inspect the roots and see what they hold : rocks & bolders, new trees, frozen dirt, homes for rodents, etc...