Stumbling Around The Anniviers

The weather had turned a little cold and I decided it would be a good day to hike from the Moiry Barrage over the Col du Sorebois and down towards Zinal. There was snow on the top of the Col, but I put some of my ski thermals on, and caught the early Postbus up to the Barrage. The bus was pretty full, but as usual, most of the crowd melted away in other directions, and I was soon alone in making my way up through the cow meadow. I've skied down this slope in winter, it seems so much easier in the other direction.

On crossing the Col, it was snowing on me, and the cloud was pretty low, I paused to reflect on this being high summer. The views were quite limited.

With a view of the Sorebois Cable Car station within sight, I set off in search of a good cup of coffee. In winter the restaurant at the top of the Cable Car is self service. In summer there are a few tables set out, it's waiter service and not much use for anyone who needs a pit stop. Sitting outside was not practical as the weather was quite wet, so I decided to head down the Cable Car, and snack at the bottom. These scooters are for rent at the Cable Car Station, I stood on one, it felt pretty unstable!

It's a pretty steep ride down to Zinal village, but at least I was out of the rain. I caught the Postbus back to Grimentz, but along the road, the bus was flagged down by a farmer, who wanted to load a piece of metal fencing and have it taken to the village. The driver was happy to help, and as it didn't quite fit, the last part of the journey was completed with the side door of the Postbus open!

Zinal and the sound of running water

As it was another wonderful sunny day, we decided to head up the Cabane du Petit Mountet for lunch. We had only a few hours before Andy was due to depart, so a local hike amidst wonderful scenery would fit the bill nicely. We set off along the Navisense, which gets a lot more lively as we begin the ascent.

It's a fairly easy hike and we were soon within sight of our destination, just hiding in the trees on top of the next rise. Once we reach the terrace, it's time to soak up the view, slap on yet more sunscreen, and decipher the Menu! The Zinal Glacier is below us, as the Cabane is on the side of the hill.

I wonder what it all means!

We've agreed to return to this area, as we want to hike over on the side of the mountain where we saw the waterfall. I expect that will be next year, as summer is drawing to a close.

The Swiss Pudding Testers on Tour

After a fairly heroic yomp to the Cabane Becs des Bossons, it seemed sensible to have an easier day taking in the sights above St Luc. We drove to Chandolin and took the Tsape chairlift, then set off for St Luc which was round the ridge. It's a fairly level walk giving good opportunities for taking photos.

Looking up towards the Moiry branch of the Anniviers. Becs des Bossons is the peak far right.

Looking right across the Rhone Valley to the Plein Morte Glacier above Crans Montana.

This is the top of Cret du Midi in Vercorin, another Anniviers ski station which is open in summer.

After an hour or so, we were feeling the need for Tarte au Myrtille, so consulted the nearest signpost and headed for the Cabane Bella Tola.

It's a very pleasant venue, and I was eyeing up the potential of spending the afternoon in a deckchair. They even have a portable swimming pool set up. The Tarte was well up to expectations, and fully refreshed we set off to find a pleasant place for a picnic. With some surprise we found a purpose built picnic table with roof. Okay, it seemed to have been built for tall people, but it was a lovely spot, on a beautiful sunny day.

Swiss Critters

Perhaps it was all down to me hiking later in the summer, but this year I have seen rather a lot of the local wildlife, close up. Yes, there was a bit of string between us, but not for long, as that's the way I'm headed! Some of the wildlife was a lot smaller and care was needed to avoid stepping on them. I suppose Frogs find enough to do in the mountains? Perhaps it was on vacation?

I came across a whole gang of butterflies on a path in St Luc. I have no idea what the collective term is, but they were apparently very busy doing stuff!

The local Herens cows fight quite naturally, it's rather like Sumo for cows. They like to push each other, and like most cows seem to be naturally quite inquisitive. The young cows, do seem to want to practice their fighting skills. So when I saw this, there seemed to be only one of two outcomes possible!

Over in Zinal, a plump cat was definitely in charge of photo opportunities, though a local Marmotte put in a strong showing.

 Up on Tsarva in Grimentz, some animals have to work for a living. This was a surprising sight at the Buvette Orzival. I believe this is a proper Mule, loaded down with baggage. Looks quite like a horse, but the head shape is different. The owners of the bags were about 200 metres behind, looking tired and hot.

I'd wondered which way up the party had come, and when hiking up to Bendolla a couple of days later, I saw hoof prints of an animal wearing metal shoes on the "Chemin Rapide" which is the steepest route!

Market Day in Grimentz

Throughout the summer months Grimentz has many themed Markets. It's mostly traditional crafts and local produce, though you can't buy a St Bernard!

Local schoolboys making Hanging Baskets for the Geraniums which adorn the village.

The local Baker always has a Stall, and the produce is pretty tempting. Business seemed quite brisk with tourists and locals stopping by. Perhaps the Baker was specially busy as the Mill was grinding the wheat for the A.O.C flour. My photos don't do the little mill justice, but it's the first time I've seen this running.

There was also a display of traditional Wool spinning, and a pair of sheep in a pen in the old village.

I got the feeling that the sheep had done this before, as they quite liked having their ears tickled! As there was no price tag, I guess that the sheep were not for sale either. I imagine it would be a bit tough getting them through Customs!

The building on the right, directly behind the tiered seating is where the wheat is being milled, it's a water driven mill.

Sunshine and Cow Pats

I've been hiking again, in and around Grimentz. Made my journey a little later this year, to avoid too much mud and snow on the paths. When the snows melt, the cows move in, to get the tasty grass. They bring their own portable milking parlour. The resort is really busy, but as usual, it's easy to avoid the crowds.

It was a very warm 1st day, and I was really surprised that my boots rubbed my heels. Compeed to the rescue!. I have no idea why this happened, and it's not happened since.

Andy arrives on an early flight the next day, so we take a gentle hike around the Naviscence in Zinal. I put a hand in the water to test the temperature, incredibly cold. The cows in Zinal seem much bigger, what do you think?

We walked past the remains of a small avalanche. Andy decides to poke a stick into it, and fails, as it's rock solid.

The cloud is starting to drop, so we head for a coffee and cake!
The next morning is fine and sunny, so we set off for the Cabane Becs des Bossons from Grimentz.

This is a walk that I failed to complete last summer, when there was just too much snow on the path. Soon we reached the snowline, and headed up to the Col.

After we cleared to Col, we spied our lunch stop, and on arrival the clouds descended!

Lunch over, we set off to return to Grimentz, stopping to observe that it's hours to everywhere from here!
The terrain in this area is quite different to what we experience in Grimentz. Far more rolling hills with more gentle paths.


As soon as we are back among the rocks heading for the Pas de Lona we see that we are being watched!

Looking back up to where we crossed the Col, at the end of a fairly long hike.

Tick Tock

It's been 2 months since I had some skis on. I have my boots with me, but my skis are out in Switzerland right now, well, except for a really old pair! Usually I get the urge to go skiing in midsummer, and I have the time, so take a morning drive to Hemel Snow Centre, and call in to the Ski shop underneath the snow slope to see if they have any Demo skis available.

The good news is that they have a few pairs of next winters' stock. The bad news is that they want £15 to demo a pair. The hook for this is that the store will refund the charge, but only against a full priced pair of skis or boots. A minor flaw in their strategy is that they have no stock yet, most stores won't get their stock until September and the "Voucher" issued against the charge is only valid for 3 months! They also want photo ID, which I think is a bit excessive.

Oh well, it is nice to ski on new kit, so I pay up. I was slightly concerned that the member of staff who served me didn't know what the ramp angle was on the Demo bindings, but decided it would make no difference if he did know. The ramp angle would not be zero which is what I need, and it would feel like skiing in high heels!

The skis were okay. but not exceptional, I suppose some of that is my fault as I'm out of practice, and not particularly comfortable on them. The snow slope was in an okay condition, though the "Slow" nets were about a third of the way up the slope, so it cut down the skiing area.

I decided to head down to the store to swap these skis for another pair, and had a real problem getting the electric exit doors from the snow slope to open. Usual arrangement, walk towards door, and doors open. Er...well about 12 cm, and there they stopped. I put my shoulder into the gap and pushed hard to escape!

Down to the store where all the staff seemed to be unpacking store stock and there were plastic bags spread all over the floor, Health and Safety anyone? I ask for assistance, and I'm directed towards the back of the store, where no-one is serving. I wait, and wait.....until my patience evaporates, cross back over the packing materials and resume using the remainder of my paid time slot on the snow slope.

My time's up on the snow, so I rugby tackle the reluctant door again, and make my way to the changing area. One of the Snow Centre's ski teachers stops to chat to me. Tells me that he's not really got used to these wider skis yet. The skis in question are 84mm at the waist, really not very wide, at all.

I should get my £1 coin returned by the changing room locker, but I have no idea where my money went, except to say I don't have it, as it did not drop into the coin return, oh well! Down to the shop to retrieve my hostage credit card, and collect the Voucher, which I have no intention of using! If anyone wants it, please get in touch.