Arrival Day

Everyone arrived safely and we have started our great adventure. It is shaping up to be a phenomenal group with students from Arizona, Alabama, Tennessee, Washington D.C., California, New Jersey, Texas and Utah represented! We are all looking forward to a fantastic summer.

-Matt

Cruising Chamonix

What beautiful weather in glorious Chamonix, France! The birthplace of mountaineering and skiing, this is the location of the tallest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc. At 4,810 meters, it rises majestically above the deep, glacially carved valley. The countryside awed all of us, especially Kevin, who is enjoying his first time abroad. He, Margaret and Alex G. alternately played cards on the train and watched the scenery as it changed to higher and higher mountains. Alex B. was already used to the time change and enjoyed reading some Three Musketeers while the rest caught up on sleep. Small world moment: Mary and Dixon had the chance to get to know each other better on the flight over, having just found out that they go to the same school in Birmingham! Zach started taking pictures of his “mascot” amoeba, and Elizabeth has been beating EVERYONE at cards! Margaret really enjoyed the scenery and got excited about hiking as we wandered around the beautiful old town of Chamonix, Perry and Cannon were both in awe, wanting to learn more about the history of the area. Everyone is thrilled to walk around the beautiful south end of the Mon Blanc Massif and continue to discover the high mountain culture of the Alps!

-Shauna

Top Of The World

Italy has great food, just like everyone has always said! After our first few days around the southern end of the Mont Blanc massif, we our way through Italy to Switzerland. And Switzerland is just as beautiful. We began our trek with a bus ride to Les Houches. After a quick tram to the top, we got on the trail and headed for the first of many days of challenging terrain. Our first night we rested our heads in Les Contamines. At dinner Perry, Alex G., Margaret and Cannon were brave enough to try the French paté! It was quite tasty. After a good night’s sleep, we were off again, up toward the Col de la Croix du Bonnehomme. It was a beautiful day, and Zach was a good pace setter. We ate on top of the pass and were visited by a small herd of goats and sheep. Kevin was very intrigued by them and spent a few moments taking photos. The refuge was in an amazing location, and was comfortable and warm. We saw a herd of ibex and some marmots. The next day we descended to Les Champieux and then continued up the valley toward the Refuge des Mottets. At the Refuge Elizabeth led many card games as we sat in the warm dining room waiting for a piping hot meal. After dinner we were serenaded by an accordion! Dixon, Elizabeth and Alex B. really enjoyed the next day. We hiked into Italy to stay at Refugio Elisabetta. We had a nice afternoon day hike up a moraine toward a hanging glacier above the refugio. On we went to Courmayeur for some gelato and pizza! But our most incredible night to date was the Refugio Walter Bonatti! It was in a beautiful spot, was warm and inviting and served GREAT food. Our next stop was La Fouly. Mary was enthralled walking through high alpine villages and took many pictures. After the picturesque village of La Fouly, we hiked down the valley and into Champex, our home for the next two nights. We are having a fantastic time getting to know each other and hiking some long challenging days.

-Alice

Haute Route

Today is a good day for a rest. Our days on the Haute Route have been full. From Champex, our group had a pleasant stroll to Le Chable, walking in farmland along the valley floor. Our night in Le Chable was comfortable so we were well rested for our hike up to the Cabane du Mont Fort. Alex G. set a great pace for us and we made good time. The views from the top of the ski area back down toward Verbier and Le Chable were breathtaking. At the Cabane we took some personal time and watched as the clouds rolled in. Our next day toward the Cabane de prafleuri was full of high passes and moon-like terrain. Elizabeth and Alex B. did a great job as leaders of the day. They made the most of the sunshine at our lunch spot at a lake just below one of the glaciers. From Prafleuri we made our way to the town of Arolla, nestled at the end of a beautiful glacially carved valley. Along the way, some snow started to fall and Mary and Kevin saw their first July snowfall. The next morning we awoke to a full 2" of snow! Margaret and Zach decided to frolic in the snow before breakfast. Zach and Dixon then led us down the valley to La Sage. From La Sage, Cannon led us up to the Col de Tsate on route to the famous Cabane de Moiry. Perry was enthralled when we reached the Cabane as it is perched over-looking the massive Moiry icefall. We all took some time to enjoy the awesome beauty of glaciers and peaks around us. From the Cabane de Moiry, Margaret and Elizabeth were leaders of the day. They directed us through a group of cattle raised for the regional pasttime of cattle fighting! Then down into the town of Zinal, in a valley with spectacular views. Our group is looking forward to our last few days on the Haute Route to Zermatt, and our climb up the Breithorn!

-Alex

Zermatt

We are now in Zermatt, the town at the base of the Matterhorn. Since Zinal we have been through Gruben, where Mary and Kevin led us into the beautiful and comfortable Schwarzhorn Hotel. We played some rousing games of Around-the-World ping-pong, which Cannon and Mary dominated. On the 19th, in St. Nicklaus, on a beautiful hiking day with fantastic views, Margaret turned 17! She and Elizabeth were fabulous leaders of the day for our last pass of the trip. The way down was quite steep, so Kevin, Perry and Alex G. went slow and played many word games while enjoying the views of the valley and glaciers. Dixon and Zach were leaders of the day for the Breithorn climb, and our hike up to the Horni hut on the shoulder of the famed Matterhorn. Alex B. was in awe all day, constantly pondering on how he could get his parents to take a ski vacation here next winter. Our last night in an alpine hut was incredible. The Hornli Hut is at 3280 meters and is the start of the summit climb on the north ridge of the Matterhorn. The area is magical and cast us all under its spell. Tomorrow we board trains for the ride back to Geneva, and as we wave goodbye to the Alps, we’ll all be sad.

-Elizabeth