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Chamonix Activity Report: 13th June 2008

featured in Activity reviews Author Tom Wilson-North, Updated

Tuesday saw some beautiful weather so we took a walk up to Lac Blanc. I don't know if you've been there before - it's 1hr 15 minutes' walk from the top of the L'Index chairlift at La Flegere. Lac Blanc is the lake that you always see in the postcards; normally sitting below Mont Blanc, with the Massif's reflection shimmering in the water.

There was a lot of snow up there. In fact, I was almost expecting skiers to fly past me as we crossed the pistes of the Floria. Luckily, we had crampons, ice axes and substantial shoes (God bless Vibram!) so we felt secure even whilst teetering over the most exposed parts of the traverse. Upon reaching Lac Blanc, we were disappointed to see that it was almost a bit too Blanc, being covered up with a metre or so of snow. Fortunately, we still got some exceptional views over the Grands Montets (still plenty of snow...roll on summer opening...) and the Chamonix valley as we shared our lunch spot with a couple of black crows.

Local legend has it that the crows you find up at altitude carry the souls of people lost in the mountains. It's quite nice to think of a flock of souls watching over you as you have your own adventures up high, curious as to what gear you have and what you're doing.

The sun's finally been out - forgot what that looked like for a while - and there are even people around town proudly sporting sunburn. The pasty ski-bum shells from winter are slowly being shed and replaced by golden-brown climbers, bikers and hikers. It'll take a little longer for us all to overcome that pinky redness - the curse of the English - but it'll be worth it.

Speaking of us Brits, we made the most of the sunshine by having a full English breakfast outside Elevation, the little bistro opposite the station. Normally we're found across the street at the rowdier, friendlier and more international Chambre Neuf, but this particular hangover required assistance of the fried variety. And what a breakfast it was. Tomatoes, egg, bacon (yes!), sausage, beans...the works. Next time nothing else will do, you know where to go. It might be pricey, but trust me - you won't need lunch.

On Saturday (14/6), I'll be riding Le Tour with a group of friends. Le Tour is accepted as the most bike-friendly part of the Compagnie du Mont Blanc areas; you'll see as many people on two wheels as you will on two legs, and the more moderate terrain lends itself nicely to fast cruising on a mountain bike. The Charamillon gondola and Chavannes chairlift will both be turning from the morning, and I'm dying to check out condition of the singletrack I already know, as well as exploring some of the lesser-travelled paths. The Combe de la Vormaine bowl is an area I skied a lot in the winter and I'm sure there's a track that goes somewhere down there in the summer. And that's not to mention the stuff down to Trient, the stuff down to Chatelard, the stuff down to Vallorcine...well, you get the idea. See you in the lift line!