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Day 1: We equipped ourselves with crampons and ice axes ready for a day in the mountains. Under the tutelage of our guides, Roger and Phil, we became acquainted with the strange new tools we would later depend on and, as a test of our endurance at altitude, we went on a walk around the cable car area, over snow and rock, the latter being difficult in crampons! We ended the day rock climbing on the other side of the valley, on a particularly appealing crag.
Day 2: Having been briefed on the four day expedition we were to undertake, we prepared food and equipment worthy of a journey to the Massif du Mont Blanc. From La Contamines we ascended several hundred metres to the Refuge Tre la Tete. On the way, there was an opportunity for more rock climbing and a chance to experience being roped up to three other people. The Refuge itself was surprisingly luxurious (the image in my mind hadn’t even featured beds!).
Day 3: Our expedition then took us into the heart of the mountains passed inquisitive chamois and rare wild flowers. Rounding a corner, we came face to face with a glacier in all its enormity shrouded in mist and snowy mountains. It was a geographer’s delight with the U-shaped valley bringing our syllabus to life.
To reach our next Refuge we had to climb up a series of vertical ladders attached to the cliff face whilst being semi-roped on! Once there, we were presented with a single room of small dimensions but equipped with the world’s largest bunk bed! This was a good moment for group bonding and uncovering the worst snorers!
Day 4: It was a proper Alpine start - at 3:15am. I had already been awake for two hours, contemplating which of Mr Sandall or Mr Rosedale looks most like an alien in the middle of the night!
This day would be the most physically demanding of our trek. Armed with our usual kit plus a head torch, we took to the slopes and began our slow ascent of the glacier passing the 3000m mark. The sun rose in spectacular fashion over the top of Mont Blanc. We took lunch at 8 o’ clock, at 3200m, looking over a panorama of valleys that stretched below. It was then on to the foot of a pure white mountain sculpted by the wind into the shape of a desert sand dune - one of a group called the Domes de Miage. We followed its knife-edge ridge to the peak. This was my favourite moment (apart from the discovery of the group dorm) and the view, as we all squashed onto the summit, was beyond words. A long walk then took us back down to the Refuge Conscrits.
Day 5: Today was for ice climbing. Roger and Phil found us a safe crevasse and set up three ropes of varying difficulty. The most challenging of these wasn’t so easy but I managed to haul myself to the top.
Back at the gite, a surprise awaited us in the form of a folk dancing accordion player. Even though inexperienced in the art of folk dancing, we were soon involved (all except Mr Sandall who seemed to have been mysteriously misplaced!).
Day 6: We spent the morning in the markets of Chamonix. Coincidentally, the Climbing World Championships were being held there and we stood in awe of climbers who appeared to have evolved from monkeys not so very long ago. Suitably inspired, we went to do some more climbing of our own and, of course, Mr Rosedale made it all look so easy.
There was time to gear up for one last adventure. A short walk took us up to some beautiful lakes with staggering views. A dip in a lake left us prepared for supper and a night under the stars with only wildlife for company.Temperatures dropped to 3°C.
Day 7: We woke to the chamois and marmots and had to face the sad prospect of returning to normality but with oh so many new memories to relate.
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