Spicy Alpine hike. Looking for the dinosaur in us.
#Wandelen in the mountains, is not only physically strenuous and therefore healthy but also mentally foiling. It can bring out the best but also the worst in man. In any case, it is never free of obligation. It confronts you with a beautiful but also ruthless nature, and that makes mountain hiking so attractive. With your body in the landscape!
After the necessary cafe visit to get from the ride, the backpacks lifted and we go “en route”. Immediately we know what time it is. After only a hundred metres, some are starting to ask themselves about the weight of the backpack. But fortunately it is only the intention to find a camping spot in nature, away from civilization. And that spot is also found in the Barberine Valley. We store our tents for the first time.
Maurice and Wim are going to see if we can't cross the frozen reservoir, but the others have no message. Relaxing lazy in the sun seems like a much better idea.
The intention is to find fossilized traces of dinosaurs but due to the exceptional snowfall of last winter we certainly cannot get there without ice rons and dinosaur tracks under a thick layer of snow are of no use to us either. We therefore change our plans and do not go over the col de la Terrasse but along the slope and the montagne de Barberine to the refuge de Loriaz. Along the way there are also some difficult passages there, snow tongues blocking the footpath, so that even Wim, who is usually a little ahead, finds it safer to wait for reinforcements. In the refuge the men can not resist the temptation of the pints.
At the appointment of the hostess we will store the tents several hundred meters further in the valley. Yo with backpack and slippers on the way because he has already thoroughly refreshed and put on clean clothes. And then comes the apotheosis of the day: we get to know Maurice's cooking for the first time. Everything within reach goes into the pot and the result is... very tasty!
The appointment is to cross the col de Salenton in the afternoon, 2500m high, in the direction of Mont Buet. A breeze is said to us along the way. Before we start, we enjoy the view of the refuge's terrace and let us taste the tarts with blueberries. From our lazy chair we see at the top of Les Aiguilles rouges, safely far away, some avalanches crashing down. Beautiful view is.
And then we are back on our way through streams, snowfields and rocks getting higher and higher. Maurice chops a whole snowfield to a mush to make it a little easier for us. Just below the top it suddenly becomes gray and foggy, soon we are in a thick pea soup. Suddenly our hairs are standing straight, because completely unexpectedly a thunderstorm breaks loose. Maurice decides to return immediately. How that descent goes is difficult to explain. Charles goes over head and the knees will never be what they were again. Stepping is not always there, but sliding all the more. Yo goes down and falls in the supine position. To make the view more original, even with the head goes first. Maurice makes a rescue attempt and hops down the rocks like a madman. He can't do much, but yes, a real leader sometimes has to put his life at risk. Meanwhile, the hailstones fall from the sky, the refuge among us is no longer visible and the path has disappeared.
Miraculously, we once again reach the refuge, which honors her name at that moment. Everyone is tired and tired but still in that dog weather the tents must be taken care of. Yo gets to warm up and finds that she is still in a company of gentlemen. The head does not stand at all to cooking and by the way, that is not possible in this storm and that's why we eat in the hut. Menu of the day bean soup and spaghetti. Eat or eat, and then the fatigue comes up: flapping teeth, shivering, tired crawling into the sleeping bag and trying to feel human again.
While drying our clothes, marmots lurk in the hope of taking a snapshot of those weird Belgians. But Maurice is ahead of them, he walks barefoot through the snow and takes the picture of his life. After those lazy hours, we go back on the road. By the way, we made this journey through thanks to the alcoholic brew of Charles. A drink that, at the start of the trip, everyone had their doubts but which we all used in the cold. Charles clearly triumphs and feels strong. It argues for him that he does not abuse the situation and shows himself very generous. A special mention is given to the breakfast of Fons. How come he manages to prepare a breakfast every morning worthy of a Hilton hotel?
Meanwhile we continue to the col de Montet. Above the village of Tré le Champ, we set up the tents again. Maurice can't resist taking an evening walk. We'll give him this after all the trouble he's gone through. We leave the tents unguarded and go for a beer in the special café-refuge Le Boerne. After this' splash 'we retreat to our tents near the babbling stream, between the yellow-flowering Arnica's and white-blooming Akeleiruiten. A place no Hiltonhotel can handle.
After a relaxing meal, back to the tents, get over that steep snow field. Yo and Charles therefore prefer a mountain rope as a safe companion. And then all five of us crawl into one tent to write this report. Totally unexpected and almost unbelievable there is a knock on the door. An Englishman is looking for two women with whom he has an appointment at this height. Very strange, my dear Watson.
A while later, a great thunderstorm breaks loose above our heads, so much that the fright is clearly in it. Charlemagne feels that the place where he sits is starting to get quite sopsy. The tent is gradually underwater and there is mopping with everything that qualifies for it, including Karel's cap. When the thunderstorm is a little quiet, we'll stick the heads out, and as it turns out, the tent is in the middle of a small lake. The other tent is a little better, but still. In the dark and the rain we drag the shelters a little higher and we try to sleep in dirty, damp sleeping bags.
Another night's sleep near the cars, some even in the car. And then the next day, happy home. Because, yeah, what are you doing here in the mountains? Enjoy the wild nature anyway. With your body snuggle in the landscape. And we did it.
Second day:Cascade — Lac d'Emosson (1900m) — Lac du Vieux Emosson (2200m), not to Col de la Terrasse (2650m), to see petrified dinosaur tracks you have to climb to the hill in August — back to Lac d'Emosson (1900m) — Col du Passet — Montagne du Barberine — refuge du Loriaz 20202020m. Note: you can also get to the Lac d'Emosson by car and even a mountain train.
Third day:Refuge du Loriaz — descending to Couteray — then to refuge de la Pierre à Bérard 1974m — via Col de Salenton 2520m you can cross to refuge... what we did not succeed because of the bad weather, sturdy pedals can also get to the top of the Mont Buet 3000m.
Fourth day:Pierre à Bérard — Le Buet — Col de Montet 1480m, information centre and botanical garden of the nature reserve 'Les Aiguilles Rouges' — Tré les Champs.
Fifth day:Tré les Champs via TMB along Aiguilette d'Argentière to refuge du Lac Blanc 2500m.
Sixth day:Refuge Lac Blanc along Lac des Chéserys back to Col de Montet — Vallorcine.
First day Belgium — Vallorcine
As with any well-organised tour, we also leave with delay. The culprit of service is Wim. Of course, he will not avoid his justice because without breakfast he has to go with him and will have to wait until noon for a first decent meal. No more problems and at half past six in the evening we arrive in Vallorcine, where we put the cars in the stable. From now on, we'll trade the iron horsepower for five pairs of trained calves.After the necessary cafe visit to get from the ride, the backpacks lifted and we go “en route”. Immediately we know what time it is. After only a hundred metres, some are starting to ask themselves about the weight of the backpack. But fortunately it is only the intention to find a camping spot in nature, away from civilization. And that spot is also found in the Barberine Valley. We store our tents for the first time.
Second day Lac d' Emosson
Immediately we know what we started, because the climb to the Lac d'Emosson, the border between Switzerland and France, is a solid climb, but when we arrive at the lake, we are rewarded for our effort. A gigantic water surface, a reservoir that, in a tub of snowy mountains. Grandiously beautiful, but we want to go up 300 meters to the old reservoir. Fortunately, the semi-paved road along the lake is partially snow-free. We walk between and even under snow mountains to 2200 meters to the even more grandiose Vieux Lac.Maurice and Wim are going to see if we can't cross the frozen reservoir, but the others have no message. Relaxing lazy in the sun seems like a much better idea.
The intention is to find fossilized traces of dinosaurs but due to the exceptional snowfall of last winter we certainly cannot get there without ice rons and dinosaur tracks under a thick layer of snow are of no use to us either. We therefore change our plans and do not go over the col de la Terrasse but along the slope and the montagne de Barberine to the refuge de Loriaz. Along the way there are also some difficult passages there, snow tongues blocking the footpath, so that even Wim, who is usually a little ahead, finds it safer to wait for reinforcements. In the refuge the men can not resist the temptation of the pints.
At the appointment of the hostess we will store the tents several hundred meters further in the valley. Yo with backpack and slippers on the way because he has already thoroughly refreshed and put on clean clothes. And then comes the apotheosis of the day: we get to know Maurice's cooking for the first time. Everything within reach goes into the pot and the result is... very tasty!
Third day valley and refuge Pierre à Bérard
Yo wants to go back to the refuge in the morning, to refresh himself thoroughly, but the refuge turns out to be untraceable. She clearly chose the wrong path, but that's something that can happen to even the best. The morning is also very pleasant. First you have to go down and then climb again to the exceptionally beautiful valley of Pierre à Bérard. Don't forget to mention that Charles has had a heart rate monitor on for a while, which arouses an enthusiasm in him that you do not think possible.The appointment is to cross the col de Salenton in the afternoon, 2500m high, in the direction of Mont Buet. A breeze is said to us along the way. Before we start, we enjoy the view of the refuge's terrace and let us taste the tarts with blueberries. From our lazy chair we see at the top of Les Aiguilles rouges, safely far away, some avalanches crashing down. Beautiful view is.
And then we are back on our way through streams, snowfields and rocks getting higher and higher. Maurice chops a whole snowfield to a mush to make it a little easier for us. Just below the top it suddenly becomes gray and foggy, soon we are in a thick pea soup. Suddenly our hairs are standing straight, because completely unexpectedly a thunderstorm breaks loose. Maurice decides to return immediately. How that descent goes is difficult to explain. Charles goes over head and the knees will never be what they were again. Stepping is not always there, but sliding all the more. Yo goes down and falls in the supine position. To make the view more original, even with the head goes first. Maurice makes a rescue attempt and hops down the rocks like a madman. He can't do much, but yes, a real leader sometimes has to put his life at risk. Meanwhile, the hailstones fall from the sky, the refuge among us is no longer visible and the path has disappeared.
Miraculously, we once again reach the refuge, which honors her name at that moment. Everyone is tired and tired but still in that dog weather the tents must be taken care of. Yo gets to warm up and finds that she is still in a company of gentlemen. The head does not stand at all to cooking and by the way, that is not possible in this storm and that's why we eat in the hut. Menu of the day bean soup and spaghetti. Eat or eat, and then the fatigue comes up: flapping teeth, shivering, tired crawling into the sleeping bag and trying to feel human again.
Fourth day Col de Monte
Day of rest. We check the contents of the backpacks and display everything on the rocks because a dry garment is certainly not a luxury. Charlemagne takes advantage of the tranquility to have his wounded knees groomed thoroughly and then we'll have breakfast in the refuge. The men eat their brought sandwiches from home. Yo orders breakfast, but the eggs with bacon are not available, even if that's on the menu. What she gets is stale bread that was probably already destined for the marmots. She has long deposited her own delicious sandwiches in a garbage can to lighten the weight of her backpack.While drying our clothes, marmots lurk in the hope of taking a snapshot of those weird Belgians. But Maurice is ahead of them, he walks barefoot through the snow and takes the picture of his life. After those lazy hours, we go back on the road. By the way, we made this journey through thanks to the alcoholic brew of Charles. A drink that, at the start of the trip, everyone had their doubts but which we all used in the cold. Charles clearly triumphs and feels strong. It argues for him that he does not abuse the situation and shows himself very generous. A special mention is given to the breakfast of Fons. How come he manages to prepare a breakfast every morning worthy of a Hilton hotel?
Meanwhile we continue to the col de Montet. Above the village of Tré le Champ, we set up the tents again. Maurice can't resist taking an evening walk. We'll give him this after all the trouble he's gone through. We leave the tents unguarded and go for a beer in the special café-refuge Le Boerne. After this' splash 'we retreat to our tents near the babbling stream, between the yellow-flowering Arnica's and white-blooming Akeleiruiten. A place no Hiltonhotel can handle.
Fifth day: Lac Blanc
Fons would normally get up at six o'clock but not see Fons at half past eight. We need to give him a hand. In the morning we stop for a long time to see a climbing school at L'Aiguilette at work. The trip is difficult according to some, we even climb up steel ladders in style but still it seems like a pedestrian autostrade. We walk here on a part of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB). After that climbing we will see the refuge du Lac Blanc in the distance, but we must or may have to traverse a snowfield again to get there. So first we store our tents, backpacks in and without luggage up. From the hut we have a spectacular view of the Mont Blanc and its massif. We decide to have dinner in the hut but we still have to wait a while because the helicopter has to drop the eggs. Spectacular yet, up to three times the helicopter brings up supplies from the valley in large nets.After a relaxing meal, back to the tents, get over that steep snow field. Yo and Charles therefore prefer a mountain rope as a safe companion. And then all five of us crawl into one tent to write this report. Totally unexpected and almost unbelievable there is a knock on the door. An Englishman is looking for two women with whom he has an appointment at this height. Very strange, my dear Watson.
A while later, a great thunderstorm breaks loose above our heads, so much that the fright is clearly in it. Charlemagne feels that the place where he sits is starting to get quite sopsy. The tent is gradually underwater and there is mopping with everything that qualifies for it, including Karel's cap. When the thunderstorm is a little quiet, we'll stick the heads out, and as it turns out, the tent is in the middle of a small lake. The other tent is a little better, but still. In the dark and the rain we drag the shelters a little higher and we try to sleep in dirty, damp sleeping bags.
Sixth day: Lac Blanc - Col de Montet - Vallorcine
The next morning, the last day of migration, no more accidents, right? We walk through the lakes of Cheserys, along the beautiful path of the Tour du Pays, past monumental cairn, built here by thousands of hikers, back to Col de Montet. Just enjoy the Mont Blanc massif, Mer de glace and other glaciers and then back to the cars, which are fortunately still in the place where we left them.Another night's sleep near the cars, some even in the car. And then the next day, happy home. Because, yeah, what are you doing here in the mountains? Enjoy the wild nature anyway. With your body snuggle in the landscape. And we did it.
Practical info
First day:Vallorcine (1260m) — Barberine — Cascade de Barberine (pitch around 1400m) towards Lac d'Emosson.Second day:Cascade — Lac d'Emosson (1900m) — Lac du Vieux Emosson (2200m), not to Col de la Terrasse (2650m), to see petrified dinosaur tracks you have to climb to the hill in August — back to Lac d'Emosson (1900m) — Col du Passet — Montagne du Barberine — refuge du Loriaz 20202020m. Note: you can also get to the Lac d'Emosson by car and even a mountain train.
Third day:Refuge du Loriaz — descending to Couteray — then to refuge de la Pierre à Bérard 1974m — via Col de Salenton 2520m you can cross to refuge... what we did not succeed because of the bad weather, sturdy pedals can also get to the top of the Mont Buet 3000m.
Fourth day:Pierre à Bérard — Le Buet — Col de Montet 1480m, information centre and botanical garden of the nature reserve 'Les Aiguilles Rouges' — Tré les Champs.
Fifth day:Tré les Champs via TMB along Aiguilette d'Argentière to refuge du Lac Blanc 2500m.
Sixth day:Refuge Lac Blanc along Lac des Chéserys back to Col de Montet — Vallorcine.
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