Runalong

Rather than start at the beginning of our amazing summer adventures, I'll begin with the end. The last two weeks were spent hiking the Haute Route from Chamonix, France (at the foot of Mt Blanc) to Zermatt, Switzerland (at the foot of the Matterhorn). The route, which began as a cross-country ski touring route has been adapted for summer hiking. It goes from the most massive mountain in Europe to the most recognizable. The guide book (by Kev Reynolds) recommends doing the route over 14 days; I set our trek up as a 13 day adventure. Because we would be staying in huts or villages each night, we didn't need to carry any camping gear. Also, if the going got too rough for Mrs Runalong, she could skip a day here or there and take a bus to the next village. There were also some trams and gondolas along the way if she wanted to skip a big climb or descent (she did!). I carried her clothes and stuff along with my own and she carried our lunches and such. Becky carried her own stuff.

From the guidebook: "Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn- recipe for a visual feast! To walk from one to another is to sample that feast in full measure; a gourmet extravaganza of scenic wonders... In two weeks of mountain travel you will be witness to the greatest collection of 4000 meter (13,000 feet) peaks in all the Alps and visit some of the most spectacular valleys. There you'll find delightful villages and remote alp hamlets, wander flower meadows and deep fragrant forests... cross icy streams and glaciers... The route is over 180 meters (112 miles) long. It crosses eleven passes and gains more than 12,000 meters (40,000 feet) in height."

Our first day was easy; after a long train ride from Locarno; we arrived in Chamonix in late afternoon, grabbed a few burgers at McDonald's* and headed toward Argentiere only six miles away in the valley.


Mont Blanc

*A beautiful building, inside and out, with espresso and beer on the menu and free wifi!