During July, GWCT's Dr Louise de Raad is spending two weeks of unpaid leave to hike Tour Du Mont Blanc, one of the most famous long-distance treks in the world, totalling 170km. She hopes to raise enough funds to help improve facilities at our Auchnerran Demonstration Farm in Scotland.
Louise has sent the following update:
Day 1 - Les Houches to Les Pontet (about 19.5km and 1,000m altitude metres).
Great first day! Steep climb to start the day with, but after the first 2-3 hours it was quite easy going. Quite a bit of road walking, but nice to get a feel for the wee villages and some of the views were already spectacular!
Climbing out of the Chamonix valley, pretty fantastic view looking back.
The view up the main road was good! Little did I know I would nearly be able to touch those peaks the next day!
Tonight's campsite.
Day 2: Les Pontent to Chapieux (20km, 1380m climbing)
Absolutely stunning day with beautiful views. I can’t believe that this is not the most beautiful stage of the TMB! Some nice wildlife today too! Did the route pretty fast and legs feeling strong!
Some of the birds to be seen in the area!
The route ahead (with the peaks I saw yesterday!)
Nice wildflower meadow … hoping Auchnerran will look a bit more like this next year!
Made it to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
Well deserved G&T!
Campsite at Chapieux!
I also saw about 10 baby stoat cross the track right in front of me … maybe not a sight that everyone in Scotland likes to see, but amazing nonetheless!
I ended the day with a yoga session with some of my new ultramarathon runner friends (hoping this would help me be less sore the next day)!
Day 3: A short day today, with ‘only’ 1,000m ascent, hiking from Les Chapieux to Refuge Elisabetta, crossing the border at Col de Seigne into Italy!
I think the muscle ache from day 1 is kicking in, because my legs were very sore today and I was glad to arrive at my destination!
The views today were breathtaking though, especially looking back into the valley and then into Italy!
Refuge de Elisabetta
View from the balcony