Chamonix - my Grand Tour continues

Ceret was wonderful as were the Dolomites, and afterwards came Chamonix; the mecca for British mountain tourists. Once finished in Dobbiaco I drove from the South Tyrol. Down through Italy, westwards to the Aosta Valley and north again, crossing the San Bernardo Pass to enter the Chamonix Valley from Switzerland. The rain, which has dogged me all summer, followed closely.

Clearing rain at sunset from Les Houches

I was back in Cham to lead a walking tour of the Highlights of the Tour de Mont Blanc - another first for me so I needed to spend some time recce-ing the walks.

I was also 4 weeks out from the UK and looking forward to Dianne joining me from England. It was her first trip to Chamonix so we were intending to spend a few days on the highlights in between dodging the wet weather.This meant a trip up the Aiguille du Midi telepherique (exciting and an amazing viewpoint but so busy - we spent almost all day on something which would have been a fantastic hour. Time did drag as we waited for our slot to get back down.)

The Midi Plan Arete from the Aiguille du Midi

 Afterwards we did sneak in a climb at Les Gaillands, Chamonix's local sport climbing venue. We did a two pitch route which we both really enjoyed.

Dianne en route

Best of all was a train up to Montenvers and a walk out on the Mer de Glace. This was a bit more hardcore, involving a descent of nearly 200m down polished glacial rock on steel ladders, a crossing of the lateral moraine (loose and not a place to linger) then a leisurely stroll on the bare, gritty ice. The walk finished with a climb back up the ladders.

Dianne beginning the descent to the Mer de Glace