Mont Blanc Marathon weekend

The finish at Plan Praz

Another June, another weekend of Mont Blanc Marathon madness… 24, 25 & 26^th June saw a hot weekend of ultra running in the Chamonix Valley. 

• Friday 24^th: New this year the Vertical 1k race from Chamonix centre to Plan Praz, Brevent.
• Saturday 25^th: 33^rd edition Cross- 23k & 1500 mtrs of ascent.
• 8^th edition Chamonix 10k race.
• Sunday 26^th: 9^th edition Marathon- 42k 2500 mtrs of ascent. 

Andy

After a poor week weather wise the forecast came good just in time for the weekend of sport. With the introduction of a new race '1k vertical' things got started at 4pm Friday afternoon by competitors setting off at 30 second intervals from the town centre and heading as fast as possible up what seems to be a near vertical track ascending underneath the Brevant gondola.

Sara

Saturday saw the 8.30pm start of the 33^rd edition Cross a 23k race from Chamonix to Brevent via Lavancher, Argentierre, Montroc, Tre la Champ and then ascending steeply up to the Flegere and on to the Finish at Plan Praz, Brevant at 2000 meters. Wining time by Guillame Fontaine of 1h 55mins and the first female Mireia Miro at 2hrs 8 mins. Maximum time allowed to complete the race is 5 hours with cut off points at Tre le Champ & Flegere.

The 10 K race followed at 9am where Manu Ranchin finished in 40 mins 8 seconds.

Dee

Karl

Bill

An early morning start to avoid the heat on the Sunday for the 9^th edition Marathon. The course takes the same route as the Cross with the added section from Tre la Champ to Vallocine, a ridiculously steep rise to the Col du Possettes and on to Aiguillette de Possets summit at 2200 mts. The route then descends steeply down the ridge towards Montroc and cuts back left to Le Tour. Running through the old village of Le Tour, across the meadows back to Montroc the route takes you through Tre la Champ for the second time before the final 10k rise all the way to Brevent via Flegere. With a maximum 9 hours to complete the course and cut of points along the route to stop runners if they are going too slow this years winner Nicholas Pianet came home in 3hrs 56 with the first women Stephanie Jimenez at 4hr 39.

Cross finishers photo- Dervla, Dee, Sara, Bekah, Jason

Norma

We all had a go at something Cross or Marathon and all managed to finish. After two marathons in previous 2 years I opted for the Cross for a change which was a wise decision given the 30+ temperatures for the Marathon on the Sunday. Karl, Bill & Norma however slogged their way round in the ridiculous heat to finish in 5hr 46, 6hr 20 & 7hr 9mins respectively.

Well done to all, more of the same next year? 


More info at: www.montblancmarathon.fr

Walkers Haute Route

Mont Blanc from the Chamonix Valley

Originally completed as a summer mountaineering route by the Alpine Club of Great Britain in the mid 19^th century the walkers haute route has been adapted following a lower level making the route more accessible for summer trekking. Approximately 180 kms in length the route crosses 11 high mountain passes with 12,000 mtrs of ascent from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland.

The route has variations but generally takes you from Chamonix initially following the Tour du Mont Blanc route via the Fenetre de Arpette to Champex Lac. The route decends to the Osieres valley and over to Verbier, things get a little bit more remote for a number of days passing by the Cabane Mont Fort, Cabane Plafleuri, Lac Dix before descending to the Arolla Valley. From Arolla the Walkers Haute Route rises and falls over mountain passes and down to the valleys and villages of La Sage, Les Hauderes, Grimentz, Zinal, Gruben before reaching St Nicklaus and the Matterhorn Valley. Two options are available from here by taking the starigh forward route up to Zermatt via the valley bottom or by ascending beyond Grasenreid onto the stunning yet precarious Europaweg.

Depending on the time you have available and how much rest and recuperation you need during the tour it is normally completed in 12 days however it’s possible to complete the tour in two halves from Chamonix to Grimentz or Grimentz to Zermatt.

Matterhorn from Zermatt

Villages en-route

Chamonix, Haute Savoie, France

Le Tour, Haute Savoie, France

Trient, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Champex Lac, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Champel, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Verbier, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Arolla, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

La Sage, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Les Hauderes, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Grimentz, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Zinal, Valais, Switzerland (French speaking)

Gruben, Valais, Switzerland (German speaking)

St Nicklaus, Valais, Switzerland (German speaking)

Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland (German speaking)

Mont Blanc Treks Full Classic Walking Haute Route

The 14 day itinerary features the rigorous 12 day Classic walkers Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt.  The route takes you from the Chamonix Valley in France to the Valais region of Switzerland including 2 days on the classic Europaweg as we approach Zermatt.

Trient Glacier from Trient, day 3

Day 1 Transfer from Geneva Airport to the hotel In Chamonix, early evening welcome and trek briefing leaving the rest of the evening free to explore the bars & restaurants.

Day 2 A free day to explore Chamonix before we leave on our two week trek and take advantage of many of the excursions and tourist attractions on offer.

Day 3 Starting at La Tour in the Chamonix Valley we take the télépherique to the Col du Balme 2204m, walking a short distance before crossing the boarder into Switzerland. We descend to the Swiss village of Trient before making our ascent to the Fenetre d’Arpette at 2665m. We finally make our way down to the picture postcard village of Champex-Lac 1466m to our accommodation.

Approx height gain: 1400m

Distance: 18k

Day 4 Promises to be fairly easy in comparison to the first day. We descent from Champex-Lac into to Orsiére Valley and trough the Swiss villages of Sembrancher 717m and Châble 821m. From Châble we will take the télépherique to Les Ruinettes 2195m within the Verbier ski area, an hour walk will take us to our destination for the evening, Cabane du Mont Fort 2457m.

Approx height gain: 350m

Distance: 17k

Above Jungen, day 11

Day 5 A tough day ahead as we ascend over three mountain passes. Form Cabane du Mont Fort we start making our way up to the Col Termin 2648m which enjoys fantastic views towards the Grand Combin Massif at 4314m from here we descend sharply before our next ascent to the rocky Co de Louvie 2921m. After another descent with views of the Grand Desert Glacier we pass a series of small tarns before ascending once more to the third & final col the Col de Prafleuri 2965m. Descending steeply our accommodation for the night comes into view, Cabane de Prafleuri 2624m.

Approx height gain: 900m

Distance: 14k

Day 6 We make our way up to the Col des Roux 2804m where a delightful view awaits of the Lac des Dix and the high mountain landscape beyond. We descend to the lake and contour its shore for several kilometers before rising again to the Col de Riedmatten 2919m. Making our way down from the col we reach the small alpine village of Arolla 2006m and our rest stop for the night.

Approx height gain: 850m

Distance: 17k

Day 7 A big day ahead as we make our way down to the typical Valaisian Village of La Sage at 1667m, leaving the pastures behind we ascend steeply towards the Col du Tsate 2868m.  As we descend from the col in to the Val de Moiry we are given our first glimpse of the stunning Moiry glacial icefall and the Cabane du Moiry, our highest accommodation of the trek at 2825m.

Approx height gain: 1650m

Distance: 18k

Day 8 We descend to Lac de Moiry before climbing again towards Col de Sorebois 2847, as we reach the col another splendid view awaits of the Weisshorn at 4505m and surrounding peaks. We descend steeply through the ski area where we take the télépherique to Zinal at 1675m and our accommodation for the next two nights.

Approx height gain: 500m

Distance: 14k

Day 9 A well-earned rest day gives us the chance to relax and explore Zinal.

Day 10

We leave Zinal on day 9 fully refreshed and ready for the steady climb through woodland to the high mountain pastureland beyond passing the remote Barnueza Alpage 2211m.  We finally reach the Col du Forcletta at 2875m and pass into German speaking Switzerland, descending to the small village of Gruben 1822m & to the Hotel Schwartzhorn.

Approx height gain: 1200m

Matterhorn

Distance: 14k

Day 11 Starts with another steep climb leaving Gruben through larch and pine woodland, as the gradient eases the route leads through high-level pastures to the Augustbordpass 2894m. Descending steadily towards Jungen 1955m we take the little télépherique to St Niklaus 1127m & on to our accommodation.

Approx height gain: 1100m

Distance: 16k

Day 12 For the final two days the stunning scenery of the Europaweg awaits. From St Niklaus we take a short buss ride across the valley to Gasenried 1659m. The trek starts here gaining height steeply at times offering great views of the Bernese Alps and magnificent Grosser Aletschgletscher. The path continues over difficult terrain at times before reaching the Europa hut at 2220m.

Approx height gain: 1000m

Distance: 14k

Zermatt, day 14

Day 13 Our final day on the Haute Route and we have saved the best till last. The high level path contours the valley through larch woods towards Täschalp & Ottavan 2214m with stunning views en-route. With the majestic sight Matterhorn we make our way down to conclude our trek to one of the most famous Alpine villages, Zermatt.

Approx height gain: 350m

Distance: 18k

Day 14 A day of celebration, rest and relaxation… a free day to explore the famous alpine village of Zermatt.

Day 15 Farewell and departure via private transfer to Geneva Airport.

More information aboute the full Haute Route visit www.montblanctreks.com

Mont Blanc Treks 2011

montblanctreks' photostream

montblanctreks' photostream on Flickr.

Alpine flora taken whilst trekking over the past month here in the Chamonix Valley.

Tour du Mont Blanc New Bellevue refuge planning problems delay opening

Originally built at the end of the 19^th Century the Hotel Bellevue was a popular with those seeking to conquer Mont Blanc, and as reported in the French press ‘frequented by the Victorian English or bourgeois bohemians in search of thrills’. A century later, Bellevue was no more than a ruin in a fantastic location.

The hotel is located above Les Houches at 1800 meters on the ridge linking the Bellevue telepherique with Col du Voza with a 360° view of the Chamonix Valley and the Val Montjoie & St Gervais. It is perfectly situated not only for those heading up or descending Mont Blanc but those looking for alternation accommodation for the Tour du Mont Blanc with its fantastic location.

Two brothers acquired the hotel some time ago, Olivier the former boss of lifts, and Yves, the hotelier of other establishments at altitude including the Hotel Prarion within the Les Houches Ski area. Their intention to reinstate this classic hotel providing accommodation and refreshments to mountaineers, Tour du Mont Blanc trekkers, day hikers and in winter linking in with the Les Houches ski area.

The renovation has been no easy task; demolition & re-building at 1800 meters the general logistics & cost of getting materials on & off site don’t bare thinking about. They had to make sure the building had the same volume, and the same outward appearance, this is a listed site so initial planning was fraught with restrictions and refusals… this is the Chamonix valley and nothing is normal or easy here! Despite this the Hotel Bellevue is reborn from the ashes, after 20 years a sleep.

A green approach meant hotel without heating! As well as maintaining its original look the brief was to build an exemplary hotel in terms of impact on the site and consumption of energy. The hotel "without heat" is based on a design concept with a very low power consumption, based on the use of passive heat of the sun (solar), geothermal (7 wells, 100 m deep have been constructed around the building), optimum insulation (triple-glazed windows, wall & roof insulation) and a ventilation system that regenerates the air "old" air. The buildings consumption will be reduced to 10% of similar size hotels in similar locations.

Due to open partially this winter and fully open summer 2011 planning problems have put pay to that. The brothers have failed to comply with the allowed building surface area (shon) and the permitted 586 m² has somehow been increased to 895 m² with out further permission. These problems will have to be resolved before they will be allowed to open & knowing the French system this could take some time.

Despite all of this the building is virtually complete and ready to go and with a bit of luck Mont Blanc Treks will be making use of this mountain refuge for our Tour du Mont Blanc treks in summer 2012. More info as it comes.

Mont Blanc Treks Flickr- Hotel Bellevue Autumn 2010

Hotel Bellevue location

Local press article November 2010- Planning problems

Local Press article November 2010-Eco Hotel

Mont Blanc Treks 2011

Alpine weather

As an International Mountain Leader and being responsible for guiding groups in the Alps during the summer and winter understanding weather is a critical factor of the job, whether it be from a client safety point of view or to just maximise enjoyment during the trek.

Situated in the centre of Europe the European Alps deflect large-scale weather systems resulting in rapidly changing weather patterns.

Typically in summer the weather warm and hot in the valleys and cooler high up, the build up of heat in the valleys during the day often creates cumulous cloud build up by late afternoon with the risk of thunderstorms. When in the mountains in summer the policy is to be up and out early and be at your destination by the time the weather breaks.

This typical pattern is caused by anabatic winds during the day: Anabatic winds are valley breezes caused by temperature build up pushing warm air up the valleys onto the mountains. These warm breezes are the cause of the cumulus cloud growth and potential thunderstorm risk.

In the evening the situation reverses and Katabatic winds take affect. Kanabatic winds are caused when cooler air sinks pushing down into the valleys creating a downward breeze.

In winter common high-pressure can be dominant, although the temperatures are cold, the air is cooler in the valleys due to lack of sun penetration within the steep sided valleys. As the cold moist air sinks cloud builds up resulting in cloud inversions (low cloud in valley bottom, blue skies high up).

The Foehn wind is a common factor in the Alps although it occurs throughout the year it has more detrimental affect in winter causing shifting of snow, increase in temperature creating unstable snow conditions. Low pressure pushes up the windward side of a mountain range, then warmed by compression as the system moves over the top of the range and finally dumped over the leeward slopes creating a strong warm wind that can last for a number of days. Temperature can increase by as much as 15 to 20 degrees.

Other notable weather signs are the Lenticular clouds, for example: ‘le chapeau de Mont Blanc’ or the ‘hat of Mont Blanc’. Unique to high mountains they are created by high altitude winds (although they look static in appearance) being forced over the obstacle. They can be a weather predictor indicating the onset of bad weather or the start of the foehn wind.

Mont Blanc Flora

Spring Gentian

After the winter that never really happend the way it should have we half expected a cold snap to take us away from the warm sense of security. However May is now upon us and the bench mark of the 10th May is fast approaching when the locals say it is safe to plant seeds and young plants without risk of frost in the valley. On the other hand on the mountain spring sprung a long time ago, the lack of snow meant that sunny slopes revealed green pastures and spring flora at least 4 weeks ahead of schedule. 


First to be seen was the Hepatica closely followed by Spring & Trumpet Gentian, Field Crocus, White Alpine Pasqueflower and Meadow Saffron.

White Alpine Pasqueflower

These early plants as with all alpine flora have adapted specifically to there habitat regardless of good or bad winters and early spring conditions. Stunted growth allows maximum use of any warmth in the ground and being close to the ground offers protection from harsh winds and low temperatures at night. Not only has the height adapted the structure of the plant has changed as well. Many alpine varieties have developed furry, spongy or hairy exteriors in order to hold solar heat and insulate from cold harsh conditions. Other plants have have become waxy and leathery to touch promoting water replacement as well as making the plant tough and durable. This adaptation is called Nanism. Alpine plants also have adapted large root systems in order to take maximum water and nutrients out of the soil as well as giving the plants a firm anchor. Alpine plants enjoy longevity with some species known to live upto 80 years. 

Trumpet Gentian

As the flowers in your garden change as the season progresses the alpine flora is constantly changing as well, what you will see in May will be different to that in July. For more information on alpine flora see the following link:

Alpine Flora: www.alpineflowers.net

www.montblanctreks.com

Alpine Pasqueflower

Tour du Mont Blanc Trek continued- 2nd stage

http://www.montblanctreks.com/tour-du-mont-blanc

Above the Refugio Elna

Continuing from last weeks post the second half of the Tour du Mont Blanc is often undertaken as a separate trek. Mont Blanc Treks offers an 8 day itinerary featuring the 5 day classic trek from Courmayeur to Chamonix. The route follows the 65kms 2nd stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc which takes you through Italy, Switzerland & France.

Swiss Val Ferret

After arrival & transfer from Geneva airport to the hotel in the Chamonix Valley day 2 commences with a private transfer to Courmayeur where we start our trek ascending to the Refuge Bertone 1989m we then traverse above the stunning Val Ferret before reaching or accommodation at the Refuge Bonatti 2025m. 

Day 3 sets out from Refuge Bonatti to the Co du Ferret 2537m with stunning views of the Italian side of the Grand Jorasses, Aiguille Leschaux and Mont Dolent. Crossing the boarder into Switzerland and descent to the beautiful Swiss Val ferret and La Fouly 1610m to the Hotel Edelweiss.

Day 4 brings a relatively easy day walking down the Val Ferret we make our ascent through the woods to the picture postcard village of Champex-Lac 1466m and our resting place for the evening.

Ferret, Swiss Val Ferret

Day 5 sets out from Champex Lac to Alpage Bovine 1987m above Martigny, Col du Forclaz 2191m and Trient 1279m as we reach accommodation for the night.

The final day of the tour takes us steeply up to the Col du Balme 2191m, crossing the boarder into France we end the day with a descent to the beautiful village of La Tour at the head of the Chamonix Valley before heading back to Chamonix.

Finally we have a free day to explore the Chamonix and take advantage of the many excursions on offer, perhaps the Aiguille du Midi cable car to 3842m, Mer du Glace train journey or a day back through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to the Aosta Vally and a day at an Italian Spa at Pre St Didier.

View the Tour du Mont Blanc 2nd Stage Map

Mont Blanc Treks 2011