The rooster went off at 6:30am yesterday morning. It was pitch black outside, and we contemplated sleeping for another hour but managed to pull ourselves out of bed. Ate a good breakfast, packed our lunch and headed out. Beautiful 20 minute drive to the trailhead where we watched the sun creep up and start to illuminate the snowcapped peaks.
Hit the trail by 8:20am. First we walked up through steep cow pastures, passing a functioning Alpine farm.

After about an hour, we reached the first set of rocky switchbacks. Took them slowly while we got accustomed to the altitude and the brisk morning air. The path flattened out and became easier while we traversed above the first set of granite cliffs. We reached the top of a small pass that revealed a beautiful grassy bowl where the Tournette Refuge was located. While investigating the supply cable that looked as though it hadn't been updated since 1920, Martin heard some trotting and glanced over to spot a mother ibex and her calf just 150 yards away. Made our way across the bowl where we hit our first snow patches. Trekked up loose, rocky terrain and started to traverse above the second set of granite cliffs. At that altitude, some parts of the trail were frozen mud and others dusted by snow.

Once we reached the edge of the mountain and started the final switchback towards the summit, we peered down the side which was a sheer, flat granite face straight down, one of the most impressive walls either of us had seen. The trail became more difficult to follow but luckily there were some painted arrows on granite rocks and a few of the rises were equipped with chains to help you pull yourself up. At one of the last chains, we contemplated turning back because the 6 foot climb was icy but with our incredible mountaineer skills, we found a way up. Followed the path until it was covered in deeper icy snow and we could tell it was too risky without the proper equipment to continue to the highest point on the mountain.

Instead we found a steep, grassy face that led us up to a closer summit. There were enjoyed lunch, huddled close together since it was fairly cold and windy, all the while taking in the view. From there we could see the Mont Blanc Mountain Range, the Thones Valley and the Aravis Mountains which included three different countries.



After about 20 minutes, the cold got the best of us, and we headed back down. We encountered a few more hikers heading up, all of whom were much better equipped than us. We once again spotted the ibex and her calf about a thousand feet above where we last saw them and we became instantly jealous of their agility through the rocky terrain.
Reached the car about six hours after we had started and headed back to Talloires where we were hoping to enjoy an ice cream in the sun; however, we were sorely disappointed as everything (including the grocery store) was closed. Then we realized it was Monday and the French don't believe in working on Mondays (or Sundays) so we have discovered. Instead, we agreed on bread with honey and a can of Orangina we have been carting around.
Amazing views today but impossible to capture the sheer scope on a camera.
- Martin & Kate.
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Location:Cour de Saint-Pierre,Geneva,Switzerland