Alpine Trip Report - Part 2 : Chamonix.

It's taken a while to get down to writing this but the week was an excellent one in my favourite Alpine resort - despite the mixed weather. This was our 5th trip to Cham together and my 10th visit.

Sunday 10 September. Having arrived in rain on Saturday we were pleased to rise to clearing skies. We had a brief wander around town and then caught the train to Les Bossons. Our walk took us up to the highest view point above the Bossons Glacier. I first visited this 39 years ago, when it flowed much further down into the valley, and climbed on the seracs.  We also followed much of the route on snowshoes in February 2013. Today it was a much easier climb and we also had a wee drink in a hut on the descent.

The statue in Chamonix commemorates the first ascent of Mont Blanc.

Pointing to Mont Blanc

Waiting for the train

Two views from the station,

The Bossons glacier comes into view.

Plenty of rests to take in the sun.

Easy going but some good views:

Our high point with no easy access to the glacier.

Starting the descent.

Time for a wee wine/beer.

Back in Bossons

The same Chalet in winter 2013.

Monday 11 September. With a good weather forecast we were up and out early - catching the train to Montroc a village we stayed in during the TMB in 2014. Our route for the day was a favourite (completed twice before) following the TMB to Lac Blanc then on to La Flegere and Plan Praz were we descend by cable car. The weather and views were superb for much of the day although cloud built during the afternoon.

Morning cloud on Mont Blanc.

Montroc

The Chamonix Aiguilles 

Looking back to he Col de Balme.

A great morning to be in the Alps

The ladder section is always fun.

Cloud building.

Still some great views though!!!

Lac des Cheserys

The final ladder.

Taking in the views.

Lac Blanc - it always seems to be cold here !!

The cloud built all afternoon as we traversed to Plan Praz.

A cloudy Brevent cable car

Tuesday 12 September We woke to rain so spent the morning wandering around town. The sky began to clear before mid-day so we headed off to walk to Argentiere following the Petit Balcon Nord. The route is largely through woods which was ideal in the changeable weather. We caught the train back to Cham.

The Guides Office.

A painting on a wall on the main street.

One of Susan's favourite shops.

Clearing skies.

On the Petit Balcon Nord.

Excellent facilities on the route.

Changeable weather.

In Argentiere.

Catching the train back to Cham

Wednesday 13 September. With a reasonable forecast we headed out early to walk up to Montenvers above the Mer de Glace with the intention of following the Grand Balcon Nord to Plan de L'Aiguille. This is a route we've done twice before but in the other direction. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as good as forecast so the views were limited and we had waterproofs on for much of the day. It was still a good outing and we treated ourselves to a cable car ride down to town.

Not a bad morning on the climb to Montenvers.

The Mer de Glace has retreated a lot since my first visit 39 years ago.

Taking a wee break but too early for a drink.

Signs of approaching Autumn.

An interesting route.

The Hotel and station at Montenvers.

Views of the Mer de Glace on route to Signal Forbes - a dropping cloud base.

On the Grand Balcon Nord high above the valley.

Below the Chamonix Aiguilles.

Chamonix from Plan de L'Aiguille.

Thursday 14 September. Another wet morning so we went back to Argentiere by train and then walked back to town via the Petit Balcon Sud. This is another lower level woodland route ideal for damp days.

Preparing for a wet walk in Argentiere station.

Looking for the start of the route.

Photos along the way back to Cham:

On returning to the apartment we went for a swim during which the weather improved. We went for a late afternoon wander around town before a meal out.

Photos of the mountains from town:

Friday 15 September. Unfortunately the meal out resulted in food poisoning for Susan and she was unable to get up for the last day. Kindly she didn't want me sitting about and insisted that I went for a walk. As the weather was good I decided to repeat the route from La Flegere to Plan Praz to try and get some better pictures of the Chamonix Aiguilles. It was a much colder day and at Plan Praz a dusting of overnight snow suggested winter would soon arrive in the mountains. 

Saturday 16 September - Susan still wasn't feeling great but we were up and packed early to catch a transfer bus to Geneva Airport. Due to my fear of missing flights we were a bit ahead of time and had a long wait before boarding and flying back to Manchester. The drive back to Cumbria was completed in the dark and thankfully Susan had two days off before returning to work.

Although the trip now seems a long time ago in was another brilliant two weeks in the Alps. Next years visit is already in the planning and I hope that we will be back to Zermatt and Chamonix some day.