Les Houches buying blow

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Les Houches buying blow

Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. When you register, you get our free weekly -ish snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in Username:- Password:. Or: Register to be a proper snow-head, all official-like! Prev topic :: Next topic. Poster: A snowHead. Undecided whether to go or look somewhere elsewhere within reasonable distance to Geneva. We are strong intermediate skiers who found most of the runs in places like val d sere , tignes, les arcs, zermatt fine. The negatives: - are the lifts old with long queues — is this to be expected? Les Houches ok for snow at this time of year? Should we be concerned about the above? Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person. Hi, Les Houches is a lovely village about 7kms along the Chamonix valley from Chamonix itself. If you have a car, access to all the other Chamonix ski areas, or indeed, in the other direction St. The Les Houches ski area is 57kms of piste and is actually the largest pisted area in the whole of the Chamonix Valley. Being tree-lined and on meadow, the area can be one of the first to open as it does not need much snow cover as it is not on glacial moraine. The runs are all covered by snow-cannons and you can ski back to the valley floor, or even your chalet, depending on where it is located. There are a few old button lifts, but there has been a lot of investment in Les Houches over recent years on the lift system. So now it's mainly chairs and the new Prarion Gondola. The Chamonix mens world cup downhill is held in Les Houches in January every year. Hope this helps. More info at: www. Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? If you stay in les Houches and have a car then you can hit the entire Chamonix Valley and the Italian Courmayeur without going down hill. Going downhill to the valley bottom is the motorway. Massive amount of choices for skiing the whole month if you have time. You need to Login to know who's really who. Thanks for the info! Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. You'll need to Register first of course. HI , we've been to Les Houches for the last 3 years over New Year , great wee village , although long and on one street. Conditions have been pretty good and with the world cup they will be building up a base on the run home down verte when the cannosn can blow. There is a childrens race on over New Year , 2nd and 3rd I think , normally around kids racing so Grand Bois and part of Verte will be in use for racing and practice. Also another one, old rickety building but great reasonably priced food , used alot by the locals and 3rd of the way down the downhill , at the top of Maison Neuve. If you are over enjoy Then you can post your own questions or snow reports Les Houches is in the middle of nowhere and practically at sealevel. Stay in Argentiere. After all it is free. Whitegold , Have U drink to much? Les Houches is on m level and for christmas time the snow should as Chamexpress , say, even better than rest of Chamonix valley, and pam w , april is not a good time for Les Houches, but for christmas it use to be excelent,,. You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. For the years I skied Les Houches I would say there is always good snow at the top but coming down to the base station level next to the main road is another matter. Factually the contour map here does show Les Houches lowest station starts at m level so 'practically at sea level' is hard to swallow. This would be plain obvious whenever I pass it on my way to or away from Chamonix. This picture show the snow at the top with the Chamonix valley at the background. The Chamonix Valley is a major thoroughfare between France and Italy and less able to retain snow as other quieter Swiss and Austrian valley resorts could at the same altitude. Ski the Net with snowHeads. I think Whitegold was exagerating just a tad - and last season was grim fairly generally - there was certainly nothing open at Les Houches when my picture was taken I asked. The only time I stayed in Les Houches, which was mid January, the snow was ghastly - even at the top - and the bottom of that run in the picture was bare - but that was a bad year too. We went to Flaine to find some snow and it was very soupy in the Flaine bowl too, though OK higher up. My main concern about the whole Chamonix area at new Year would be crowds; the worst lift queues I've ever encountered were at Le Tour - that same mid-January - took ages to queue to buy a pass, then ages to queue again for the lift. Les Houches might be quite a bit quieter - and it's certainly a pretty ski area. Are you dead set on New Year? If it's your only ski holiday of the year, there are so many better times to go. New year in Chamonix isn't too bad. It is the French mid term break one should avoid. Parking in Chamonix Mont Blanc the village can be a problem but Brevent has some paid car parks and La Flegere parking is free if one hit it early and find a space. Parking in Les Houches, Grands Montets, Le Tour and even Courmayeur should be free and spaces are available if one arrive early say before am or no later than 10am. That was the situation about 5 years ago. Christmas and New year is slight too early for many Alpine resorts but this is same even for the Scandinavian resorts. If one doesn't mind the skis scratches by the stones then skiing at this period is just on a thinner base and may be in a restricted area of the domain. And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. Cheers for the tips My wife is a teacher so unfortunately we have to go new year and Easter! Was in tignes few years ago and it was great at new year. My in laws are going to look after our son - so was looking for somewhere with something for non skiers and with shortish transfer. Skied zermatt two years ago at easter and it was great - looked into again but was quite expensive. Also going thurs to thurs which isnt helping with accommodation as most places are sat to sat. So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much. Quote: Also going thurs to thurs which isnt helping with accommodation as most places are sat to sat. You know it makes sense. They have always been able to ski there over the new year period. Snow is normally great. So watch out for all the up and coming young GB racing talent. Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:. Plugboy , Quote: Snow is normally great. Depends on what time period you're looking at You could look at maybe staying in Servoz or St Gervais? You do realise that you're cutting into the highest week of the year. I reckon could sell our apartments for x list price on December I haven't tried because I'm not sure I believe the 'I'll pay anything you ask' mails. Think of it like skiing in the US If you have a problem of finding Thu to Thu accommodation try Ibis in Sallanche as it is a lot near to Chamonix than Annemasse. This hotel is facing the Sallanche Centre de Commercial so you have access to all facilities plus Sallanche is the biggest town in the area. It is 8. Quote: access to all facilities What, Macdonalds? What facilities are you talking about? A better location for skiing but not for anything else. Probably some central Sallanches hotels available though I have accommodation lined up in les houches - think going go with it and hope the snow is fine!! Thanks for all your info - much appreciated! Hotel du bois. Haven't booked yet as still deliberating! Mygod, it was absolutely rammed this past new year and the one before. The pistes were like grid-locked highways. Lift-served off-piste was marginally less so. We were staying in Chamonix and drove to Les Houches to find some space to ski. It was my first time at Les Houches and we enjoyed it. What it lacks in vertical it makes up for with some lovely tree runs and a certain atmospheric intimacy you won't find in Chamonix. Free Mini bus to the Belllvue lifts, I think they are at 15 or 30 minute intervals. Staff friendly and if you arrive early we just dump our bags , and head off to the slopes. Free Wifi and the Pelforth on draught is good. A few photos from 4th Jan - a foot of powder , last year was not that bad either. Although I sometimes wonder what planet Saikee is on, It is not the one I inhabit, clearly, Zero-G , Cham is not usually so bad, just last year the snow was so poor in the lower resorts that everyone headed there. We are big fans of Les Houches, often head there on a powder day so that we can ski while everyone else is in the Grands Montets top lift queue. There are so many skiing opportunity there using it as a base. If you can't get decent skiing within a 75 miles radius of Chamonix then you will find the rest of the Alps isn't much different. I live in a planet where skiers don't normally get excited at a small resort with 55km piste, 1 telepherique, 1 gondola, 4 chairlifts and the rest is made up by drag lifts. I suppose price can drive skiers to choose Les Houches but it isn't 'the' place to go for in that area. I have just re-read your post and must admit I must have mis-read it the first time. You're quite right, New Year in Cham generally isn't so bad. Although New Year's eve in teh main square is rather mad and I object to paying to get into bars that are othertimes empty! Sallanche is biggest town in that area and offer very good shopping facilites. Two major national skiing shops are located there and offering a much better and wider choices than Annemasse. The cafeteria of the Centre de Commercial serves a good choices of food. You will find your daily needs pretty well catered in Sallanche than in Chamonix or Les Houches. Les Houches is just a village and Chamonix is just a bigger version of the same but Sallanche is the local hub and the termination point of the regional French motorway. Although if you're in a camper van I can see why that might be totally sensible. Although the speed limits are NOT motorway ones I suppose when I say French motorways I mean those we have to pay. Sallance is the end of the flat ground. Thereafter all the roads are mountain roads with steep gradients. But if you haven't experienced the new dual carriageway all the way to Cham, it's a joy! That must be 7 years ago as I drive an automatic since. Sallanches is a perfectly acceptable ordinary French town and a good hub but it simply doesn't have the character or 'ski resort vibe' of somewhere like Chamonix. Not to say I wouldn't go to Vieux Campeur or Quecha to buy kit in preference to some of the stores in Cham. With a car one choose to stay behind after skiing, enjoy the resort, have a few drinks , dinner, the vibe and features of the place. Driving a short distance to sleep at another place isn't too bad I would have thought. I would probably finish the skiing at Les Houches and then go up a few miles to spend the evening in Cham. The distance from Cham back to Les Houches is only 17 miles. I myself would probably use the evening to check out St Gervais and Megeve too and go as far as Annemasse on different evenings of course. But if you've found somewhere that will take Thurs-Thurs over New Year I'd go for it, though many places will be shifting their dates this year because it falls on a Saturday. Lifts are not as fast as they might be but not that bad either. Remember you'll find a lot of reviews which are out of date, as many of them have been hugely improved in recent years. I've been at New Year and if you get up early, have an early lunch, then ski through everyone else's lunch not literally! New Topic Post Reply. Snow Snow Snow! Solo Skiers v Groups - Orga Archives Lost and Found Ski Club of Great Britain To one side secret Mountain Hideout snowShops You cannot post to forums until you login You cannot read some forums until you login Read about snow conditions : snow conditions And leave your own snow report : snow report Find advice to help plan your ski holidays : ski holidays The snowHeads Ski Club : Ski Club 2. Terms and conditions Privacy Policy. Snow Reports. After all it is free After all it is free. So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much. Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:. Plugboy , Quote:.

Chamonix and les houches

Les Houches buying blow

France , GR 5 0 comments. The first 5 days of the GR5 involved a long and steep initial ascent into the Alps and unexpected and extraordinary scenery. I also met a number of other solo hikers. Within a few days a we formed a more or less loose group, hiking and camping together most of the time. Getting to know these wonderful people has enriched my experience on the GR5 tremendously. Day 1: St. Gingolph to Refuge de Bise. Elevation loss: m 1, ft Highest point : Col de Bise, 1. Gingolph took up most of the morning. But when I saw the little public beach below the train station, I just had to jump in the lake for a swim. The water was not cold at all and I let myself drift in the water for a while, to wash off 16 hours of travel. By the time I finally began my hike on the GR5 it was almost noon already. But instead of following this compelling signpost, I walked a bit further along the lakeshore and went up a metal staircase to the Casino Supermarket for lunch fruit, chocolate and a fresh bottle of water. View of the mountains to be climbed as seen from St. Gingolph at the lakeshore, where La Morge empties into the lake. Buying a bottle of water was a good idea, because the water fountain in the village a few minutes up the road was dry. And it would take another hour of ascent before I found another fountain on the wooded trail to Novel. The path was steep, long and hot. While the trees offered protection from direct sunlight, the humid air made the tail sweltering. I was relieved when after about 3 hours I finally reached higher elevations, out of the trees. Now at an altitude of 1. But the views would even be better once I would pass the Chalets de Neuteu. Before reaching the actual first col of the GR5 Col de Bise , I first had to ascend a steep section below the Rochers de Chauffes Floras to a higher plateau, crossing what I always call a false col. I was hiking in the full sun, the last gulps of water in my bottle were warm instead of refreshing and I was hoping that the water source at Chalets de Neuteu on my digital map would exist in reality as well. Following the narrow trail I encountered two hikers; the girl was going really fast and the guy seemed to be worn out from the hike. Later at the Refuge the Bise I met her again — she would be one of our group for the rest of this stage. For now I was mainly obsessed with the water, so as soon as I reached the chalets de Neuteu, I drenched myself in the water reservoir and filled up with 2 liters of fresh and cold water. Refreshened I started with the final push to Col de Bise. For a first hiking day, this was a serious ascent. On my left, below the col, I saw a pretty lake Lac de Neuteu and I was tempted to go down there and have look, but it had already been a long day and I wanted to reach the pass as soon as I could. These are the kind of views that make all the heat, the sweat and the pain worthwhile. I was stunned how far I had walked in one afternoon. The view to the other side of the pass was just as amazing: now I could see all the way to the mountains ranges that I would cross the next week. To the left there was, just visible, the Haute Cime , the highest peak of the Dents du Midi , an impressive mountain range where I hiked in Right before me would be the Grandes Jorasses from the Mont Blanc massif while the Mont Blanc itself was hiding in the clouds behind another dark mountain unknown to me. Looking below me from the col , I could see the Chalets de Bise behind a green hill. According to the Cicerone guide there should be an unstaffed refuge among these buildings. But in reality, as I would soon learn, there is a new refuge that sleeps 44 and there are no less than 3 restaurants and a cheese farm among the buildings. But first I had to descend from the pass for almost an hour. This gave me time to consider wether or not I would stay at Bise , or hike a bit further over the next pass Pas de la Bosse , where I should be able to find a bivouac at a chalet behind the pass. But it was already after 5 p. Soon Jill, the girl from Chalets de Neuteu , joined in. We learned we were all were doing the same trail and we shared some experiences I tried French but the others were very helpfull speaking English to me. The bivouac field was further down the gravel road, behind a rocky outcrop. We all started pitching our tents when we finished our drinks. Returning to our tents after showering and washing clothes half an hour later, we had to protect our belongings when a herd of cows came marching right through our camp. Later that evening the same cows would continue ringing their bells until dark and they would wake us up again around 5 a. I was happy I brought my earplugs. Elevation loss: 1. The second day on the GR5 would be the longest in hours of my entire day hike. The trail led me into Switzerland, were plans to bivouac at the Lac Vert were cancelled because of a severe rainstorm. I was awake well before 6 a. So I got up, still in the dark, for another lukewarm shower in the hut, where everybody was still asleep. On the gravel road below my tent I found Jill, reunited with her lost hiking friend Le Copain Disparu , who had stayed behind below Col de Bise for the night, but was unable to communicate that due to the absence of internet connection. Following her idea I packed my stuff while I was waiting for my self made breakfast to rehydrate. Early morning view of Pas de Bosse 1. The trail to the first col of the day was steep but short, and with a clear view of the pass ahead it was easily done as a warming up for this long day. Although I had left first, at 6. As I was hiking down, I was peeling off my rain gear again, while admiring the mountain ranges ahead of me. I noticed that the trail down to the village offered plenty bivouac spots, below the col at the Chalet de la Chenau with water supply , Abri de Chevennes an open wooden shelter close to a stream as well as many spots closer to the village. I found this bakery next to the small Proxi grocery store where I stocked up some extra food for the day. This was a rather tough trail and in order not to get discouraged I concentrated on a nearby goal: a chalet called Les Crottes, where there should be a water source. On the way a mother and her teenage son asked me in French whether there was anything interesting to see up the track. After some searching I found the water source about 25 meters below the chalet. Filled up with food and water again, I continued on the trail towards the next milestone: Les Mattes. The trail was gradually leaving the forest again. After half an hour I entered a green pasture with a small farm below sharp ridges pointing in the sky. I was close now to Les Mattes , not mentioned as a mountain pass by any guidebook or map, but with an elevation of 1. The sky above Les Mattes was, unfortunately, completely clouded. Now I looked down at a vast green valley with a thin trail snaking through to the next destination, Col de Bossachaux , somewhere far away. The trail was mostly gradually ascending so this section was quite an easy hike. The sun was out, the sights were amazing and pretty soon, without noticing, we had already walked for 2 hours and the col came into sight in the distance. Suddenly the sky went dark and it started raining — only a few minutes before we reached the buvette at Col de Bassachaux. We tried to run as fast as we could — which was not very fast at all because we had to climb up a steep and now muddy path. But without getting completely soaked we made it to the restaurant. As it was already p. As I was devouring mine along with a can of Coke zero, Jill hilariously was shaking al the sugar of her pancake on the floor and subsequently covered it in salt and pepper, because she longed for something spicy-spicy. We were dead tired after more than 10 hours on the trail when we arrived at the hut. Our idea was to set up our tents next to the lake. But before long, the sky was getting darker and darker. Soon we all followed his idea because by now there was not only a downpour but also a violent storm outside. The atmosphere in the hut was amicable and cosy. We prepared our meals outside on the porch until it got too cold to stay outside. Then we had a drink inside with all the other 30 hikers who were trying their best to fit in the tiny communal room. With an expanding group of solo hikers I descended an exhausting 1. It was about a. The generator had been shut off at some moment at night. Without the electricity, and an hour before sunrise, it was pitch dark in the dortoir. I had no idea who had been sleeping next to me and I tried my best to climb out of the wooden bunk bed without a sound. I wanted to get to one and only shower in the hut before the other guests had the same idea. After the shower I started organizing my backpack with my headlamp on, while a few others were also packing or dressing. When I saw Jill she was already leaving — she had been awake for much longer because of a snoring fellow hiker. Meanwhile it got light outside, but the sun was hidden behind thick clouds. It was quite cold at 2. There would be two more passes today, each of them about m. There were impressive views of Les Dents du Midi , with the distinctive grey rock layer that is completely warped in places. Just a year ago I hiked on the other side of the valley on the Tour du Ruan, close to these crazy geological features. We hiked together, changing into rain gear and taking it off again 10 minutes later. Crossing green meadows, the next col was visible: Col du Coux. The weather had gotten a little better and we could see the entire trail ahead of us. We passed by a a small restaurant Lapisa , which was still closed at this early hour. Somewhat later there was a remote little farm where a cheese maker was busy with large buckets of still liquid cheese. As always, the trail to Col de Coux seemed long, steep and impossible but it took us no more than 40 minutes to reach the top of the pass. Col de Coux is the border between Switzerland and France. I expected to see the renovated old toll house, which I had read about. But arriving at the col I only saw the rudimentary remains of the building and a big yellow excavator machine next to it. Nevertheless it was a great joy to reach the col. The sun finally pushed away the clouds and there was a fantastic view into France. Pretty quickly we reunited with Jill recognizable by the enormous pink towel around her shoulders and we continued together. We descended about m before traversing a grassy slope above a green meadow. In no more than 1,5 hour we reached the col. Just a few minutes below the pas sat the refuge with an inviting terrace full of picnic tables. At a. He reminded me of Tintin in Tibet with his mountaineering goggles and yellow woolen hat. His name was Christophe much later I learned he had actually written a book about a trek in the Himalaya. I was and still am thankful that all 6 of them did their very best to talk English with me, although I can and speak understand French — when everyone is talking s-l-o-w-l-y. When the sugar pancake kicked in, I was fully energized and started the 1. The trail was not quite memorable for the next hour or so until I arrived at a small village, Les Allamands , m. In the meantime it had been getting hotter and hotter so when I arrived at Les Allamands my heart jumped with joy when I saw the large roofed water fountain. An oasis of shade and ice cold water — another perfect spot on the GR5! I soaked my shirt and gulped down the water. Resting my back against a perfectly shaped concrete block I waited until the rest of the group arrived. When they appeared 15 minutes later, Jill had actually changed her boots for flip flops, being fed up with the heat on her feet. Now I was fed up with my burning feet, overheated by the asphalt. So I took the first opportunity to cool down in a shallow stream at the side of the road. I was separated from the group then, but somehow I managed to arrive at the campsite Le Giffre 5 minutes before them! Le Giffre was a typical French family camping, not really equipped for hikers. On the other hand however: we were placed with 7 or 8 tents in a tiny corner of a field for comparison: I have camped in many US National Parks where 1 camp site would be at least 10 times bigger than this entire corner. A positive note: there was a large bungalow tent for a shelter, which would prove very useful later. Just a short walk from the camping there are two lakes Les Lacs aux Dames , the first being a fishing lake and the second a swimming hole. A very welcome feature on this hot and exhausting afternoon — and so I would start and end my hiking day with a swim in a lake. We all set up our tents, discussing all the different features, fabrics and pole systems. Vincent had a similar Dyneema ultra light tent as I, but smaller with two extra, short poles; probably even a bit lighter than my tent. Later I walked to the village center to get some fruit, bread and cheese from the local Sherpa supermarket. I also wanted to say goodbye to Jill at the nearby bus station. With the rest of the group, now also expanded with Max, another GR5 hiker from the camping, we went to dinner in the village. Most of the restaurants were fully booked but we found a nice little burger cafetaria La Canette. With our hiker hunger we ordered way too large double and triple burgers, but we had good fun together. Returning to our camp, a fierce rainstorm started. Inside my tent I was happy the storm blew away the sweltering heat of the valley. Day 4 was one of the highlights of the GR5. The amount of time, distance and elevation change made it a tough day. But I was rewarded with unmatched views, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps and a dive into almost freezing water. Awake at 5 a. The nightly rain had left the tents and grass all wet — fortunately the shelter beside our little tenting field provided a dry place to eat and pack. I took my time and left the campsite just after 7 a. The first part of the trail followed a flat path near the Giffre river. I had hiked this part of the GR5 the previous year in opposite direction and in a sweltering heatwave. Now it was a cool morning and I walked the first 7 km at a high pace, until I reached the Gorges des Tines. The Gorges consist of a short but impressive series of narrow chasms with polished rocks and some steel ladders to get you through not dangerous or scary, just very helpful. Together we hiked out of the gorge to the village of Le Fay, where we caught a first glimpse of the massive Fiz mountain range, partly covered in clouds. Unbelievably as it seemed from that point: that was the direction we were heading today. First we hiked to Cascade du Rouget, which took about one hour. The ascent and the rising sun had heated my body temperature to an astonishing degree so the first thing I did reaching the waterfall was strip down to my underwear and soak myself in the shallow pool beneath the raging water. We left the waterfall and ascended a steep section of narrow trails to Le Lignon , crossing and shortcutting the hairpin tarmac road until we arrived at the last tourist attraction: restaurant Chalet du Lignon. So I stayed behind, while my hiking friends moved on. Although I was solo hiking again, I was not alone on the trail. I climbed a steep but populair trail towards another impressive waterfall, Cascade de la Souffaz, that many chose as a turning point for a day hike. Only after the falls I began to loose the crowds. It was high enough for a path without tree cover and no shadow, but not yet high enough for cooler air. Whenever I saw an opportunity, I soaked my shirt and hat in cold streams — I was exhausted. But when I eventually reached the Colette , a magic landscape unfolded before my eyes and all heat, pain and fatigue was instantly forgotten. On my right hand there was the a massive wall of Les Fiz towering above me, reminiscent of the high Civetta Wall in the Italian Dolomites. And in front of a me an amazing meadow filled with flowers and rocks. Refuge Alfred Willis — a. We paused for a while at the refuge with cold drinks and fabulous blueberry myrtilles pie. From the refuge we followed a trail higher into the mountains. A grassy trail at first, but soon it changed into a rocky path, until we reached the small pass Croisement du Lac with fabulous views of the lake. The lake became even more impressive with every step down from the Croisement. The water has a deep emerald-blue color. The lake is huge. An unworldly mountain wall provides a magical background. There are almost no people. It is silent. But above all: it offers excellent swimming. I had already established quite a reputation for taking a dive in rivers and lakes whenever there was an opportunity. And this lake just begged to be jumped into as well. The fact that the water was probably just above freezing the lake sits above 2. Getting out of the water a fierce wind cooled our bodies to dangerous low temperatures so we quickly put on our artificial down jackets. We abandoned our plans to camp at the lake. Descending from the col it became more and more cloudy. When we reached the refuge about 40 minutes later the Mont Blanc range had almost disappeared. It was still dry, but it was rather cold with the strong wind blowing. The clouds began to look more and more menacing. A Bivouac at the refuge was free and we found reasonable comfortable spots on the not completely level grass floor. There was a lukewarm shower available inside the hut that was either free of not — I forgot. I had been on the trail for 10 hours and I was dead tired. I do remember eating rehydrated beans with a Coke Zero and a chocolate bar while we discussed plans to rise at 5 a. After a long hike in rain and mist we arrived in a temporarily dry and sunny Les Houches. This was the plan me and my hiking companions had: to wake up at 5 a. However, the ascent is quite steep and challenging including a somewhat scary ladder section , so you definitely do not want to be there in a rain storm. Today was one of those hiking day when my mental flexibility was tested — at 5 a. We got out of our tents anyway, trying to keep our gear as dry as possible. On this alternative route we would hike down to the village of Servoz and then, around the mountain, towards Les Houches. An additional benefit of this approach was that our final descent would be about m. I have a great admiration for anyone who can do such a race, although it is not my ambition at all — I like to walk slowly. During our descent we witnessed a short-lived opening in the clouds, uncovering some peaks of the Mont Blanc massif against a blue backdrop. The view of the snow cap in the distance brightened our spirits on this rather gloomy morning. The trail was getting steeper once we entered a wet forest on a sometimes slippery trail with lots of treacherous tree roots. After two and a half hours of hiking we finally reached the village of Servoz. It was only just past nine in the morning. The village was still sleeping, or so it seemed. The Buvette de la Cascade , at the entrance of the Gorges de la Diosaz the local tourist attraction was still closed so we backtracked to a hotel that could serve us coffee and tea. By the time we reached the village we had lost 1. My energy level was getting at all time low levels as well, since my breakfast had been no more than a peanut candy bar and two pieces of Mini Babybel cheese. And for some reason I had not ordered food at the Servoz hotel. So now I had to get around the mountain that seperated us from Les Houches before I could pay a visit to a restaurant or supermarket the first since I left St. To get around the mountain we had to negotiate a stiff meter climb — at the beginning of which we got kind of lost. Despite of my GPS I had no clue wether to go left or right. Somehow, together we managed to get back on track and after two sweaty hours we connected with the GR5 trail again. Another 20 minutes of asphalt walking took us to Les Houches. The part were the GR5 overpasses the Arve river was the most ridiculous piece of trail I have ever seen. We had to cross a highway ramp without any protection from fast driving cars and walk along a curved guardrail before we reached safety at a grassy knoll. All the same, it was great to complete this first section of the GR5. To celebrate I had a marvelous lunch with Vincent and Christophe at the restaurant La Chavanne the local cheese was incomparable to anything I ever tasted. The Gite was filled with TMB hikers and it was nice to have a chat with them but the sheer amount of hikers was foreshadowing the masses we would encounter on the TMB the next two days. Your email address will not be published. Submit Comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. GR5, day 1 to 5: from St. Gingolph to Refuge de Bise Start: St. Gingolph, m 1, ft End: Refuge de Bise, 1. Chalets de Neuteu. Col de Bise. View south from Col de Bise: The view to the other side of the pass was just as amazing: now I could see all the way to the mountains ranges that I would cross the next week. Refuge de Bise, with Les Cornettes de Bise in the background But first I had to descend from the pass for almost an hour. Bivouac at Refuge de Bise The bivouac field was further down the gravel road, behind a rocky outcrop. Pas de Bosse I was awake well before 6 a. View of Les Mattes, the pass above Chalet de la Torrens The trail was gradually leaving the forest again. Col de Bossachaux Suddenly the sky went dark and it started raining — only a few minutes before we reached the buvette at Col de Bassachaux. Buvette at Col de Bossachaux 1. Lac Vert It was about a. Col de Coux We passed by a a small restaurant Lapisa , which was still closed at this early hour. The trail to Col de Coux As always, the trail to Col de Coux seemed long, steep and impossible but it took us no more than 40 minutes to reach the top of the pass. Col de Coux, Swiss-French border at 1. Les Allamands When the sugar pancake kicked in, I was fully energized and started the 1. Shaded water fountain at Les Allamands The trail was not quite memorable for the next hour or so until I arrived at a small village, Les Allamands , m. The GR5 hikers field at Camping Le Giffre We all set up our tents, discussing all the different features, fabrics and pole systems. A Misty Morning This was the plan me and my hiking companions had: to wake up at 5 a. Aguille de Bionassay appears behind the clouds The view of the snow cap in the distance brightened our spirits on this rather gloomy morning. View of Les Houches under a menacing sky To get around the mountain we had to negotiate a stiff meter climb — at the beginning of which we got kind of lost. Submit a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Search Search for:.

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