Category Archives: Mont Blanc

Variante! The Final March into Chamonix!

TMB Day 11 7 hours 13 km (8 miles) Total ascent 973 meters (3210 feet) Total descent (well, read on…) After a restful night in a private “chambre” at the Hotel du Col de la Forclaz, another delicious breakfast of … Continue reading

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The Bovine Way

On day 9 of our Tour du Mont Blanc, I look forward to our next couple of days, called “the Bovine Route”. I picture bucolic pastures, frolicking cows, and a Heidi-esque stroll through the Swiss Alps. Alas, it is not … Continue reading

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The long and the short

Refugio Bonatti, Gite de Alpage de la Peule, La Fouly TMB 7&8 16 km & 8 km Ascent/Descent: 988/945m & 32/507m The wonderful Refugio Bonatti behind us, with visions of the great alpinist himself still dancing in Kathleens mind, we … Continue reading

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Hike On, No Bus for Alpinistas.

The bus option is always alluring, yet ultimately the desire to complete a through hike prevails and we hike on. High above the bus option. However, not before we spend two nights and a day lounging around the Villa NoveCentro … Continue reading

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Cabane du Combal to Courmayeur

TMB day 5 15 km (9.3 miles), Total ascent 570 meters(1881 feet), total descent 1315 meters (4340 feet) 9 hours Dawn revealed a clear sky, cool with frost on the ground, and we departed the Refuge after morning coffee and … Continue reading

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Crossing the Alps in a Snowstorm.

Departing Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, after a “restful” night’s sleep with 30 other snoring hikers followed by a breakfast of porridge and bread, we head out for our day. The morning clouds obscure the views and the trail. … Continue reading

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Les Contamines to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme

TMB day 2 14 km, 1500 meters elevation gain, 8 hours It all started as a wonderful walk in the park along a tumbling stream. Then a 2000 year old Roman road began climbing alongside the waterfalls and we were … Continue reading

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A Walk…Around the Highest Mountain in Europe!

The contrast between the small Norwegian town of Petersburg , Alaska and Chamonix, France…well, it is not as great as you might imagine. We have landed in the French alps and glaciers hang high in the valleys, a lot like … Continue reading

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