| Chamonix Alps log (2003-06-18 -> 2003-07-11)
Leaders: Brian Ledyard & Dana Messick
Students: Will Tor, Caroline Hicks, Jack Neligan, Katherine Wilen, Chris Morgan, Ale Dyer, Chrissie Oken, Alex Horton, Wyatt Smith, Courtney Smith, Katie Smith
The adventure began Wednesday as the group gathered in Atlanta for their trip across the big pond. Unfortunately, one of the key members, Wyatt, was delayed out of Chicago due to weather and missed his connection with the group. Wyatt ended up staying at "Hotel Hitchens" that evening and boarded his plane the next day to catch up with his group. Once Brian and Dana had everyone together, they were ready and anxious to get their trip underway. The fact that everyone in the group is a seasoned Moondance veteran allows them to travel through this region with confidence.
Glacier Trek, June 20 - 21
Their glacier trek on the Mer de Glace Glacier proved to be a great time for all. As with any adventure, this trek provided lots of excitement as well as an opportunity to learn a great deal about safely traveling on glaciers. Taking a gondola up to the high hut, the group traversed 8 km over to their final destination to a hut in Italy! Using plastic mountaineering boots, crampons and ice axes, they learned how to navigate this mountain terrain which everyone thought was amazing. Will, Caroline and Alex all were strong contributors as they led the successful initial traverse. Jack, Wyatt and Kat all helped both cultures mesh and were very successful in making everyone feel as a team. Chris, Chrissie, Katie, Courtney and Ale were the first group to step foot in Italy as they set up the last pitch to conclude their traverse.
Backpacking - Haute Route, 6/22
Getting set for the major part of their adventure, the group has set out on the Haute Route which will take them across some of the most dramatic scenery any of them have ever witnessed. Staying in huts along the route, the group is sure to encounter an interesting array of other world travelers from far and wide. We most likely will not hear from them until the conclusion of this trek on July 5th. Check back as this is sure to be an amazing adventure.
Backpacking - Haute Route, 6/30
I spoke to Dana today and she reported that despite LONG and hard days on the trail, everyone is doing great. The group will hike from morning into the late afternoon and will always pull up at a beautiful mountain hut or alpine hotel and have a bed to sleep in and a home-cooked hot meal waiting. Sometimes, they even have a shower. It is the beauty of European hiking. The terrain is straight up and down, the scenery is fabulous, the load is light and there is not much camping. It is mountain trekking or hut trekking. The crew is definitely getting their fair share of the huts. This is why many people do these treks on their vacations. Do not get the wrong idea. Their days on the trail can be longer and more challenging as anything we do in the states. It is really nice mix of cultural experience and backcountry hiking. The group is working well together and everyone is ready to get to Zermatt. They are wrapping up their 9th stage today which leaves them with only 41/2 left! They are getting close to the beautiful mountain ski/ mountaineering town of Zermatt. The group is busy and moving along successfully. Everyone is having a blast and soaking up the beautiful scenery of the glacier and jagged peak covered Alps!
Chamonix to Zermatt, The Walker's Haute Route, 6/22 - 7/5
The Chamonix group finally made it to Zermatt! Hurrah! They deserve a ton of applause. After embarking on an extremely long and challenging European hiking tour, the entire group made it to Zermatt today. Over mountain pass after mountain pass, through deep valley after deep valley, the crew worked together and pushed on until they made their destination. Each night, whether they stayed in a mountain hut, an alpine cabin or mountain hotel, the group would be greeted with a hot home cooked meal and a soft bed. Although this is unlike most Moondance trips, the group deserved their pampered treatment due to the incredible intensity of the terrain they covered. Let's just say, the terrain is as safe as can be, it just involves drastic elevation changes that cover a great deal of distance. UP and DOWN! Everyone should be proud that they made it to Zermatt. After two weeks of breathtaking sites, dinner overlooking endless glacier covered valleys and long days on the trail, I am excited to report that the group has moved from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. They traveled from the shadow of Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc to the shadow of Europe's most daunting peak, the Matterhorn.
Brian and Dana called from Zermatt. They had hiked off the Haute Route to the Hostel Matterhorn, and were excited to relay some information on each student. Caroline's breath was taken away each day by scenery too beautiful to describe. Wyatt has appreciated the strong leadership of each member. Alexandra can't believe the high mountain glaciers, with their heavy snow pack. Chrissie set some great hiking paces, especially through their snow travel. Courtney was able to see lots of wildlife and the daily rainbows. Jack was quoted as saying, "The challenge pays off when you get a bed!" Alex excelled in snowy glissades. Katie has enjoyed the group bonding both on the trail and in the rustic mountain huts. Will says that there are too many good views to remember them all. Kat was the most supportive and confident hiker during their uphill sections. Chris has taken a particular quote to heart: He who rises late must trot all day!
The group will visit Zermatt, and get ready for one last mountaineering charge as they try and conquer the glaciated peak, the Breithorn, which is nestled at the base of the Matterhorn.
Breithorn Climb 7/7
Brian called and left me a message saying that the entire group successfully summitted the Breithorn! Everyone made it up and off. I will post the details as soon as I speak to him.
Breithorn Climb, 7/8
An early morning wake-up found our Moondance group enjoying Swiss bread, cheese and hot chocolate. After meeting impressive guides Alfonso (79 year old mountain veteran!), Klaus, and Robert, the crew rode to the highest European gondola station and began the ascent. Clear skies, high spirits, and confident mountaineering skills prevailed as the group adorned crampons, harnesses and ropes to tackle the Breithorn. Following are some thoughts from individual Moondance members:
Jack, Katie, and Chris were in awe of the miles of mountain scenery and the sense of accomplishment visible in the faces of their fellow team members.
Alessandra, Will, Courtney, and Chrissie remarked on the fantastic finale that concluded an extremely rigorous and physically challenging Moondance course.
Wyatt, Caroline, Kat, and Alex enjoyed spending the morning literally and figuratively above the clouds and standing on a crest of snow atop the Breithorn summit.
After summiting around 10:30am, the group enjoyed a reward of Snickers bars before descending to explore the viewing station and ice cave built into the mountain. We rode gondolas down and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in Zermatt.
Whole crew is safe and happy back in Chamonix...Chamonix Chiefs over and out.
Off to Paris in the morning!!!
Back to 2003 Logs
Back to Trip Logs |
|
