Tag: Hiking

There was a nice event organised by our group leader – Le Reculet challenge. One could take part in a race to the top, but there were only a few daredevils. The rest hiked in their own pace and waited for the contstants at the top. After everyone reached the cross, we took a photo and went on to a mountain hut for some yummy raclette and jolly singing. Some stayed for a night, others went down in the darkness. Fun evening indeed.

Today I went for a brief hike in Plateau de Solaison. I chose this destination because I was intrigued by a Saint Marry statue on the top. Also, it was said to be a very fast and easy hike -exactly what I need. I started from Plateau de Solaison, already pretty high up, and followed a narrow and pretty steep footway staright to the top. There were no spectacular views on the way up, maybe except a lot of wildlife.

From the top there was a nice view on the valley with Bonnevillle (Prettytown) and the surrounding mountains. I stayed for quite some time there before descending, having a bite of a sandwich and enjoying mild breeze. It’s a pity that the clarity of air was not perfect, because normally I could see the Alps far far away. Maybe the next time.

Today I went to see Lac d’Arvouin and to climb Pointe d’Arvouin (2021 m) towering above the lake. I chose this route because it was a relatively fast one and lakes are always cool. Pointe d’Arvouin (2021 m) is a peak in Cornettes de Bise mountains which make up a natural border between Switzerland and France. The climbing path is on the French side though.
I started already from the hight of ~1600 m and it took 30 minutes on a mostly flat terrain to get to the lake. I admired already nice views and blossoming slopes of the surrounding mountains.

There were quite a few people picnicing by the lake. The mood around was party-like, people laughed and chatted quite loudly (especially by the chalets – mountain huts), dogs swam in the lake, children dipped their toes in a stream, etc. I sat by the lake for a while to gather strengths before climbing higher. It was really hot, so any piece of shadow was appreciated.

Since there was no official trail to Point d’Arvouin, frankly speaking I didn’t know exactly which way to chose. I could go right through col de Savalenaz or left through col de Serpentin. I chose the latter and proceeded up a moderately steep slope. When I reached the col I had some nice view both, on the lake valley and on the Cornettes de Bise mountains.

From col de Serpentin I followed a wild trail up the mountains (there were no signs whatsoever that that was a trail, but I could see people walking down that little path from the top, so I hoped it was a good sign). I thought it would be possible to go on the mountain tops to reach Pointe d’Arvouin. The higher up the wilder the footway became. In the end it really looked like a goat trail or something, but it was not really long, so I proceeded up. I was hoping to reach to a better path on the top. Well, vein hopes… Instead, what I found at the top was… a chasm! It was pretty scary, with no protection from falling whatsoever. There was also no trail to the actual Pointe d’Arvouin which was situated just ~100 m away and ~80 m up. So, yet again, although I was very close, I didn’t reach the actual top I was aiming for. But the view was nice anyway, so I spent some time in a safe distance from the chasm and looked over and back to French and Swiss side. At this height it was already nice and cool, so I took my time before following the same route to the car.

 Chasm:

Today I took my brother and his friend to see Fer-à-Cheval. It’s a huge limestone amphitheater of mountains and waterfalls. There are a couple of routes to walk – we did the easiest one: an 8-km-circle in the valley (mostly flat). Even though at first the air clarity was not perfect and in July some of the waterfalls have already dried up – the view was magnificent and the walk very pleasurable. At some time we even dared to dip our feet in a cold brook – perhaps it sounds trivial but it was a real challenge with the water as cold as a couple degrees Celsius.

At some point we reached a huge waterfall splashing heavily just a couple of meters from us. It was immerse and gave us a really nice chill on a hot day. Bartek was a daredevil – he stepped into cold water to be closer but didn’t make it long. The water was freezing and the air wave rather tremendous.

We reached the furthest point in the circle where we had to turn back and go at the other side of the stream. We sat down in a shadow and had some lunch and then we moved on down the route to see (and touch) the glaciers. That was pretty awesome, yet another point to cool down on a very hot day. Yep, that’s snow by 32 dg. Celsius.

Then the path moved on mildly through the rest of the valley and later in the forests. It was a very pleasant walk and I’m sure I will do it again in spring when the waterfalls are even more prominent and plentiful.

Le Reculet is a fun mountain for Genevian area inhabitants because in principle you can climb it after work. Today we had some free time so I took my brother and his friend for a walk in the mountains. They finished tired (after whole day of sightseeing it wasn’t that easy to climb) but satisfied. And for me… Yet another season at Le Reculet. Amazing, every time I go there there is something new (this time these were the yellow blossoming trees).