Natural High

I set off from Bendolla to hike to the Roc D'Orzival. My route took me through the Abondance area, which in winter is my favourite ski itinerary. It's quite a sharp climb and the area looks so different in summer, with features that I don't get to see in the winter.

The usual skiers entry point is in the centre of this image.


Here is the view from the entry point. I had no idea there were so many rocks!

Once up onto the main ridge I headed for the top, but the air was not too clear so the views were not so good.

This is looking across into the Orzival area, which is another popular off piste destination, easily reached without skinning up. Beyond is the Rhone valley.


After this, I headed down to Tsarva, and then back to Bendolla, passing a drag lift on the way. The snowpark kickers still had some snow, I wonder if it will last until the season starts.


Here is a good example of why surface lifts can't run in summer!


I stopped for a sandwich, beside a stream which was in a very pretty setting. I really think that the nearby bridge could use fixing though.

Weather 1 - Hiker 0

I set off to hike in Grimentz several days running, and turned back each day because the weather was not good. I was surprised at the amount of snow on the walking routes and as I was walking alone, I opted to turn around as the hills were very quiet.

Basset De Lona

I wanted to hike around Point De Lona across to Lac Lona and then onto the Basset De Lona, but was thwarted by the cloud descending. It was cold, and hard to see the route because of snow and cloud. In almost 5 hours of walking I saw no-one else. To add to my enjoyment, my boots leaked when I crossed a wide stream-twice. It's quite a rugged route and my guide book promised great views, which I completely missed due to the weather.




Cabane Becs des Bossons




I'd set off good and early, caught the first lift up to Bendolla and planned to reach the Cabane by 1pm latest. At about 11am it occured to me that I could not recall putting my sandwiches in my pack. Oh well, lunch would be an energy bar! I had a couple of hikers following me, perhaps they thought I knew where I was going, but for me, hills looks so different in summer. The path up to the top of the lift system, was quite snowy, and where I broke through the snow, there was shin deep orange mud underneath.

At the top, I set off towards the Cabane, but turned back after about 10 minutes, as the route was not visible under the snow, it's a traverse of a steep slope with much loose scree underfoot in parts. The folks that were following me, had not done the route either, but decided to keep going, planning to return via Pointe de Lona. I retreated back to my awaiting sandwiches and had lunch at 2pm having ascended 770m and descended 770m in 4 and a half hours. My boots leaked again, which was predictable given the conditions. These hills look so pristine in winter, early summer is very different.

Getting Down To Business

My life is unfortunately not all skiing, hikes and Tarte au Myrtilles, so, having waved bye to Andy who was heading to the UK, the next day I started on the job in hand. As a warm up, I totally masked out the apartment, and then painting the ceiling twice. Thereafter I spent a portion of each day getting the apartment up to a reasonable standard of decor, planning to spend the remainder of the time on hiking.

One slight disadvantage of travelling light by air, is that I'm not able to carry my tools, so ended up buying some Swiss tools, plus paint, varnish, sandpaper etc. I have decided that I really prefer my own, and I have now developed a dislike of Swiss paint. The stuff for the ceiling was like glue, and I'm not happy with my work, and have decided to repaint it next winter, and use my favourite paint. The varnish for the exterior was also pretty thin and odd, and reacted with the existing covering, leaving a sticky mess, which needed more stripping back.

My best results were with the Wood Oil I'd purchased, which was French, and I'll seek out the brand again, as there is still plenty of interior woodwork to be restored. I refuse to worry about the labelling on the can. It was certainly not Hell to use!



It was good to be able to get out and about and enjoy the scenery, which helped me regain some perspective on what I was actually achieving each day.

Cabane de Bella Tolla

A lovely sunny day, though a little cool to start with. My ankle was still not right, so we settled on an easy hike up to the Cabane. Heading over to St Luc and taking the Funicular to Tignousa, it's a leisurely 166 metres climb, though we did raise the pace in order to get a table in the sunshine ahead of a large tour group. The Cabane is a pretty place in summer and it's well patronised.

Interesting Menu though, 3rd Menu choice is worth a second glance.



So we stopped off for a coffee and very tasty Tarte au Myrtilles and then hiked over to Chalet Blanc and back along the Chemin des Planetes, passing lots of Herens cows, fresh from Inalpe, who were trimming the grass around the depictions of the Solar System.
No prizes for spotting the Cowherd lying in the grass!