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Chamonix Activity Report: 18th July 2010

featured in Activity reviews Author Kieran Sharp, Updated

Chamonix is gorgeous at the moment and loads of people have come out to see the beautiful mountains in the height of summer time, who can blame them when we are having such amazing weather! Even when the weather turns a wee bit naughty it's only in the evening and normally clears up ready for the next day. The sun has been so hot that even if it has rained a little in the morning, climbing is still possible with all the walls drying out fairly quickly.

There has been a couple of good parties on this week, with the 3 days of the climbing world cup and Bastille Day celebrations it's been a good one for those visiting this amazing valley. With the Bastille Day and climbing competition events came loads of fireworks, BBQ's, and of course Alan and his amazing dancers in Argentiere! The whole valley was loving the week and living their dreams.

Now that we are a little more adjusted to the warmer temperatures we are enjoying this summer we decided to go for a wee hike the other day, just up in to and touching the Berrard valley. The route starts from Hotel Buet in the village of Le Buet (which is also a good spot for a motivational coffee before heading up the trails) accessible by train from Chamonix. Many different hikes and climbs start from here and once far up in to the valley you will have many different options available to you depending on how crazy or chilled you wish to compose yourself. There are some great out of the way multi pitch climbing routes where you may find that the wall is yours even during high season! The craziest you can go here in the valley is probably Mont Buet; a good route with some amazing 360 views from the top, but quite a slog to get there. You can of course just wander as we did as far as you like before heading back down to coffee or beer.

It's worthwhile to get a map, speak to or book a guide for a day and really explore this untouched beautiful valley. The walk starts off fairly easy with only two 100m or so climbs where the path becomes a little steeper. There is a great café at the top of the first climb resting on top of a waterfall and at the top of the second climb there is a hostel/café where you could even spend the night before heading on up to Mont Buet. We decided to ponder around a little, exploring some of the pools to dip in on the way and checking out some of the waterfalls. Being next to water on a hike is pretty good and is a great way to cool off quickly on a hot day.

We walked up until we found a great spot to chill by the waterfall, where we spent a good portion of the day hanging around before heading back down the first café for a beer and pleasant stroll down the rest of the route and back home.

So we are now looking at peak season here with many holiday makers and explorers coming out to make the most of summer time in the mountains, so don't be disappointed book a holiday here before the summer flies by!


For more information about lift price information and parking check out the Vallée Blanche skiing article on this website.

Check out our Mountain Guide Listings for contact details of local guiding and activity companies.

Check out what to do around town once the lifts have closed with our Apres Ski Report - a weekly round up of what's hot and where to party in Chamonix!