Tag Archives: Chamonix

Chamonix is the base for our Walking Holidays in the Alps

LAMBING WITH PINNACLE.

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What a great week so far at Pinnacle Walking Holidays, the highlight for me was getting to feed some newly born lambs at a farm close to home it was a lovely experience and one I will never forget. The weekend saw us checking out a walk in preparation for our 4 day short hiking tour in the Peak District, the weather was kind and there is still plenty of snow around.

Feeding Billy

Feeding Billy

Mike has been to Awesome Walls climbing wall in Stockport today, he has really taken to it and is making some great progress with the help of some good friends one of whom has climbed the Matterhorn.

I have been trying to make some purchases to improve my summer wardrobe but alas I am not a fan of shopping so I did not do too well.

French Alps hiking tour

French Alps hiking tour

However I purchased some new walking books for our French Alps walking breaks, I chose the Cicerone Guides by Martin Collins: Chamonix-Mont –Blanc and also Hilary Sharps Mont Blanc Walks, both seem excellent.

Next week we are off to the Yorkshire Dales for a few days so no doubt you will hear all about it.

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TREKKING IN CHAMONIX

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We always like to include the trek to the Refuge de la Pierre a Berard on our seven day hiking break in the French Alps. The walk takes us through some spectacular scenery and although the climb to the hut is about 600m the gradient is always very gentle.

Blue Sow Thistle

Blue Sow Thistle

The trek starts from Le Buet near Vallorcine which is close to the Swiss border. Sometimes we take the train from Chamonix a beautiful journey through the valley ending in this unspoilt hamlet. We head up to the Cascade de Berard with an impressive waterfall; from here an easy well marked path leads us towards the hut with impressive views on all sides: the Aiguilles Rouges and the Aiguilles Salenton are stunning from here.

Soon the hut comes into view, an old and tiny building protected by a huge boulder. In winter it is usually under metres of snow and cannot be found. Here is a perfect lunch spot to watch the world go by and to see hikers toiling up and down Mont Buet sometimes used as a practice climb in preparation for Mont Blanc.

Coming back we retrace our steps, stopping at the Cascade for a drink or taking the detour via Sur Le Rocher to Le Couteray and then back to Le Buet. A very popular day out on a Pinnacle Walking Holiday in Chamonix.

 

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TIME FOR THE SNOW TO GO.

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A new edition to the Seabird Centre

A new edition to the Seabird Centre

Was so looking forward to a short  break in North Berwick near Edinburgh seeing good friends, alas it was not be. Friday morning saw us unable to move our car due to heavy snow and ice and we were two very disappointed people.

North Berwick is such a lovely place and the coastline is spectacular: it’s also home to the famous Seabird Center which is such a good place to visit, it has webcams on all the islands and at certain times of the year Puffins, Seals and the fantastic Gannets can be seen in abundance.

Our Friends from North Berwick

Our friends from North Berwick

It seemed a good time to snatch a little break before our walking tour in the Peak District started; thank goodness it’s not this week as most of the roads out of Buxton are snow blocked and I feel we would not have been able to get there.

Our friends who live in North Berwick came on our hiking break in the Dolomites last September, they had never been to this part of the world before and they were totally blown away by the scenery and the wonderful food and service the Hotel Digon provided. They have a self-catering apartment “ Lorne Lane Lettings” which is great for families wishing to explore the coastline and Edinburgh which is only 25 miles away.

So our weekend was changed and we decided to put it to good use and practice some cooking for our hiking tour in the French Alps where I will be in charge of the catering, everything turned out well “I think” and we enjoyed.

  • Bread & Butter Pudding.
  • Leek & Blue Cheese Tart.
  • Crepes Suzette.

Monday morning sees us return to some healthier eating and a trip to the gym: Mike is in training for the Three Peaks Challenge so he can burn off all the naughty treats of the weekend or so he tells me.

Several weeks ago we discussed an Easter camping trip but I feel that will not be happening due to it being a little chilly or should I say Siberian. Happy Easter from Pinnacle Walking Holidays.

 

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ARGENTIERE GLACIER

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Walking tours in the French Alps are a must for people who love spectacular mountain scenery and Alpine huts situated in places with awesome views.

An easier walking day is to the Argentiere Glacier  Pointe de Vue, there are several ways of doing this walk and using the Lognan cable car allows us to gain much height. From the car we take the track around the hillside and views just get better and better: Aiguille de Chardonnet, Aiguillette des Posettes and of course Mont Blanc all breathtaking.

Walking in the French Alps

Walking in the French Alps

The glacier is so impressive and the crevasses and seracs make it all so magical. It’s so hard to carry on up as we are always stopping to listen to the creaking as the glacier slowly moves. After passing the Argentiere Hut we eventually reach the viewpoint, only one word describes this: Amazing. After lots of photographs we head slowly down seeing the odd Marmot or two, the Flora and Fauna of this beautiful part of Europe make hiking holidays in the French Alps a must for nature lovers.

For those wishing for a very easy day the cable car is a must, but for strong knees the walk back down to Les Tines is always superb: spotting Deer, Mountain Goats and an array of Alpine flowers.

On the bus back to Chamonix the prospect of a cold beer in the chalet and a soak in the hot tub make it a perfect end to the day.

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IN TARTIFLETTE WE TRUST.

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A very popular question asked every morning at breakfast in the chalet is what’s for dinner tonight: I think guests get spurred on throughout the trekking break in the French Alps by the thought of a yummy evening meal.

Local Cheese Platter

Local Cheese Platter

We tend to do a pretty good variation of food, putting lots of thought into puddings. Favourites seem to be Crème Brulee, Chocolate Melting Pots, Pannacotta and Bread & Butter pudding. However the main course favourite is Tartiflette: the smell of melted cheese and bacon cooking makes one forgets about aching limbs and creaking knees.

The Haute Savoie region is famous for its cheese dishes: Raclette: Pierre Chaud and of course a Fondue enjoyed with a glass or two of vin rouge or blanc.

Charcuterie of local meats

Charcuterie of local meats

Chalet style walking breaks in the French Alps are a must for anyone who enjoys the company of others, it’s great to sit around the dinner table  at Chalet Shiraz  chatting about the days walk and discussing the following day, not forgetting  the weather of course. Anyone who joins us this June or July is guaranteed some fantastic days out with lots of great food and wine thrown in. Spread the word.

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