Tour du Mont Blanc
The Tour du Mont Blanc or is one of the most popular long distance walks in Europe. It circles the Mont Blanc Massif covering a distance of roughly 170 km with 10 km of ascent/descent and passes through parts of Switzerland, Italy and France. Having already been to foot of Everest high up in the Himalayas this seemed to be the next logical step for me in my quest to walk some of the best available long distance walks the world has to offer. This is my account of a fantastic adventure with wonderful scenery and great company. I hope you enjoy it.
(Note: This walk is kindly contributed by Neal Lever)
Day 14, 5th July 2012:
We have a long breakfast with plenty of coffee after all there is no rush on our last day here. I decide to have a shower to try and freshen myself up after our celebratory night out. We have a free day today in Chamonix before a journey home tomorrow for most. After a lazy morning a few of us head off into town together. Most of the group have gone into town to buy presents and just relax. Lee and I enjoy a meal and wine in this bustling town and just watch people go by. Matt joins us for a while.
Quite a few of us end up in "The Pub" watching tennis and just chatting away whilst enjoying a few beers. The day all but passes to quickly and we are soon on our way back to the campsite for our last meal cooked by Lewis.
Looking down on Chamonix
Busy day in ChamonixAnother fine meal followed by an impromptu music quiz conducted by Lee from his IPhone on which he has stored hundreds of tracks. It was a good evening of which I am sure most will remember for a long while especially because of a magical sunset on Les Bossons Glacier. I have never experienced oranges and reds on a mountain peak like this before. It looked like an irrupting volcano and the glacier was the magma flowing down from the mountain. It was truly spectacular to see if only for five minutes. Another late night ensued.
Walking the streets of Chamonix
Sunset on Les Bossons Glacier
I awoke knowing that goodbyes would come all too soon and each of us would be going our separate ways. For most a coach journey to the airport, some with long flights but me with only a couple of hours. Lee was to stay on in Chamonix for a short time and then on to Barcelona and other European destinations. We would meet again.
This was truly a splendid trip and I know that I will visit again. The mountains are an alluring place to me and will continue to mesmerize me in every way. Infatuation can be the only way to describe my feelings towards these mountainous places so it is back to the Himalayas for me early next year.
To all who travelled with me I thank you for making it such a memorable journey.
