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 5: Courmayeur to Chalet Val Ferret (18km, 1,080m ascent)
It was hard leaving the lovely hotel with all its comforts, and it wasn’t until after a big brunch that I set off! Today was quite a relaxing day, as I had company and we hiked the whole route at a more leisurely pace.
The route started with a steep climb of about 800m, but it was nice and shaded through a forest. The views were amazing again, and the route went past Mont Blanc and looked back into the valley I had come from on Day 4.
We walked about an hour and a half longer than the actual TMB Stage 5 (which ends at Refugio Bonatti) to where the TMB meets the road as we had to get the bus back down the valley to a campsite (there was no camping near the official end of today’s route). All our lounging about meant we missed the last bus and we had to get a taxi to the campsite.
Upon arrival it seemed my baggage hadn’t been delivered, which wasn’t great as it was already late and had all my stuff and tent in it! After some phone calls (and tea!) with the transport company, the campsite staff did a bit of a search and found where it had been dropped off! Pitched the tent in the dark and had a quick dinner. Another great day and now passed the half-way point!!
Looking back down on Courmayeur
Posing in front of Mont Blanc!
Refugio Bonatti … had a refreshing drink there before the last stretch of today
The valley looking back to where I came from on Day 4
The campsite by daylight the next morning!
Day 6: Chalet Val Ferret to La Fouly, crossing into Switzerland
A shorter hike today (15.5km), due to doing a longer stretch yesterday. I took the bus back up the valley to Chalet Val Ferret where the climb up the Grand Col Ferret took me from 1784m to 2537m.
It is getting hotter and though the climb was a ‘mere’ 980m today, it was quite tough! The stunning views were mainly looking back onto the Grandes Jorasses (the same as yesterday), but once past the Col there were more grassy, flowery meadows to enjoy. An easy, but quite long hike down (10km) to Camping Les Glaciers.
The valley of the past three days
Climbing between lovely flowers everywhere
A last look back to Italy!
At the top of the Col
Flower beds are beautiful
Backdrop of the campsite