Alpine Logistics

The forecast for Sunday was good but we woke up to a grey. damp and misty morning…the kind that makes you want to go back to bed for another hour or two. Fortunately we had an appointment with some friends: 8.30 at the trail head in Valle Cervo.

Instead of taking my camera I packed my waterproofs and a hot thermus. Happy to get outside despite the weather we set off along the valley floor towards Monte Cresto, 1500m higher up. We followed the path through a beautiful deciduous forest full of autumn colours which runs along the banks of the river Cervo. After a short time we crossed the river on an old stone bridge and began our ascent into the mist. I could feel space all around me but my world had been reduced to a small area of footpath and shrubs that followed us up as we walked.

To add a bit of spice to the day’s walk, we were reminded that Autumn is the hunting season; mainly for deer and wild boar. Given the limited visibility it was somewhat unnerving to hear the occasional gunshot reverberate across the valley, so we started to talk loudly and sing to identify ourselves as homo sapiens.

About 700m from the summit, the mist began to thin and eventually we emerged above it into a glorious hot sunny day: amazing! There was a sea of clouds stretching out as far as the horizon, with the peaks of the highest mountains basking in the sun. We sat and soaked up the sunshine on the summit for some time whilst we ate. Definetely worth getting up for. 

After an early snowfall the north west Italian Alps are back to warmer temperatures and so far enjoying a mild, sunny autumn. This week we took the opportunity to go for a walk in Burcina Botanical Park, Piemonte, to catch the first autumn colours.

We discovered that this is a beautiful time to go; there are leaves turning beautiful shades of red and yellow, berries, chestnuts, apples, pears, exquisitely scented flowers and lots of red squirrels stocking up for winter.

Sunday morning the alarm went off. Our finger tips were still sore from the previous day’s climbing and it was a cold cloudy morning, so we opted for a change of plan and went in search of the sun. We headed towards the European capital of alpinism: Chamonix. 

We were pleased to see that, as requested, the sun was shining and it was as hot as any summer’s day. From Les Houches we took a narrow winding road up to a small agglomeration called Le Coupeau, which sits directly in front of Monte Bianco. We were heading for Aiguilette du Brevent; a very panoramic peak in the Aiguilles Rouges massif. To begin with the path winds its way up into a dense pine forest, which occasionally allows tantalising glimpses of the view through its boughs. Eventually we emerged from the trees and could enjoy the warmth of the sun and views onto Monte Bianco’s glaciers. 

After another hour we reached the top; a grassy ridge from which a unique panorama opens up: Aiguille d’Argentiere, Aiguille du Dru, Aig. du Blatier, Aig. du Midi, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit and finally the summit dome of Monte Bianco itself; basking in the sun at 4810m. With my zoom I was able to frame the rock fall which affected the Petite Dru several years ago. This mountain used to be a symbol of alpinism in this area but unfortunately it’s now considered very dangerous due to continued rock fall from its flanks. 

The view south and east (in the opposite direction to Monte Bianco) looks like something you might expect in the Dolomites, thanks to the area’s bizarre geology: the mass of granite forming Monte Bianco is a stones throw away from the limestone rocks of the Aravis massif. All this just to remind us that we are in one of nature’s best works of art: the Alps.  On the way back down we came across a group of four, bent double by the weight of their packs. They were making the most of the afternoon breeze to go for a spin with their paraglides: fantastic! What a great way to be able to end the day.