Apologies for the lack of updates, i'm disappointed with my self as well. But to be fair, i've only missed a day, its hardly a big deal! Anyway, as it happens, a lot happened in that day, it's the only day in my trip where i planned to do next-too-no driving. So upon waking Saturday morning, i decided what the plan for today was. I was in the Alps, in Chamonix itself, right below Mont Blanc.
So to me, the natural decision was to climb. Something big.
Unfortunately i didn't have the time, money, equipment, fitness or experience to even think about the 'white mountain'. So before i got too excited i quickly pushed that idea out of my head! I decided to head back towards Chamonix, but head south, to the foothills of the south bank of mountains. I found somewhere to park the car next to a country park type place, loaded up my bag and headed... Well, up i guess. Oh yeah there was some guys slacklining near where i parked the car.
I headed into the forest and found a path that was heading upwards, (I really didn't have a plan!) unfortunately though this path soon fizzled out. Undeterred i pushed on, straight on up through some very thick forest. Eventually after about an hours worth of climbing i hit a mountain footpath. Wahoo!
I followed the path upwards, turns out it is a mountain path used guides and for training by mountain rescue teams. I did start to get a little worried as the very few people that I did see, seemed to be carrying a great deal of kit, and they all had walking poles. I never understood the need for them, plus i think they just look silly. Anyway, i digress... The path got steeper and steeper, and became very rocky and actually pretty hard going. However, the views on the way up were something else....!
Long story short, 3 hours later i made the summit of Bel Lachat, 2152m above sea level. I was pretty pleased with myself i'll admit (see cheesy grin photo below), it's the tallest mountain i've climbed to date. And makes Snowdon and the like look like molehills! The park at where i started was 780m, so almost 1400m ascent is pretty good going to me!
Anyway, views from the top!
Another 3 hours later, and i was back at the car wahooo! I was pretty knackered by this point, (I know, i'm a weed and a woos and everything else....) So a shower and dinner ensued once back at the site! I did spoil myself and cooked 2 bags of rice as well as a tin of chilli. Jheez, i may as well be in a hotel!
At the site i was lucky enough to meet some really good people. A belgian couple who were touring a little like me, but had decided to stay in Chamonix for an undecided amount of time before heading back home. And then my friends Dave and Kate from salisbury. Writing this now, im kinda regretting not taking any photos, as i could just be making all these names up and never of spoken to anyone. But honestly they really did exist! That night, as it was a Saturday, we decided to discover what the nightlife is like in Chamonix. So we all hopped into Kate's incredibly spacious saxo (I forget her name!) and drove into town. Eventually we found a good little, not to touristy, bar in the town centre. 3 hours later and several litres of heineken later, we loaded back up and returned back to base camp. Quick note about French beer, it seems to be Heineken, or ermmm.... Heineken. There's the occasional random local french lager thrown in as well, but Heineken definitely has the share in the beer market!
Nights like that one remind you why you set out on such a trip in the firstplace, the scenery and places that you see, the things you experience, and sometimes most importantly, the people you meet. There the things that make it all worthwhile, and sometimes, to just keep on trekking!
Right that was yesterday, today has been much less eventful. Left the site quite late, around 12, as it was raining 'un chats et chiens'! And i wanted to put the tent away atleast a little bit dry! Today i have covered a meagre 200 miles, although im still yet to locate the campsite so who knows how many i'll of done by the end of the day! Journey was pretty simple, but i'm starting to get a little ticked off with all the toll roads. Sure there nice and smooth and have lots of little parks and stuff. But sometimes one can't help but feel like your just being ripped off. Especially when 80% of your journey is conducted on said roads. Sure you can avoid them, but todays journey would've taken about 3 hours longer if i had done! Rant over.
Stopped at a pretty park thingy though, am now in the hautes-alpes region, and can definitely tell that i'm getting further south! Weathers averaged about 32 today, and i'm having to re-apply sun cream much more often to my right arm than my left! Currently sitting in a cafe in Sisteron, chilling out and writing this!
That pretty much all there is to say. Oh, one more thing, i drove past a wee Renault Twingo on fire. Made me feel very safe in my BMW!
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