In Chamonix Again

So we found our place again in the parking lot of the Aiguille du Midi Telephyrique and settled in for another brief stay in the historic capital of alpinism, a place we always find attractive and interesting, Chamonix. On Friday, July 1, I did another hike, taking the bus up to the Col du Montets and walking from the col back down to La Flegere and the telephyrique there back to the valley. Walking "the col back down" entailed first a two hour set of switchbacks rising 2000 feet! But it was another brief stretch of the Tour du Mont Blanc that weather forced us off in 2005.

Back in Chamonix, where some nice fresco

work has been going on

On all my hikes in the Alps, I have never seen an ibex, except

at great distance, fleeing

But here, above the Col du Montets, in the Parc Naturelle,

there was a whole flock, obviously unconcerned with human

presence

Including this big guy

OK, they're just mountain goats, but any sort of larger wild

mammal is unusual in Europe; you should see the sensation

among hikers caused by the sight of a marmot!

Oh yes, there was some alpine scenery around

Mt. Blanc, from near La Flegere

Chamonix Aiguilles

Aiguille du Midi, across the valley

Grandes Jorasses





Out our window Friday evening