[Closed] Early trip to the Alps

Looks brilliant. Where is day 2? Did you have a crack at Buet?

Awesome!

Bionnassay - that was a very tough climb, and as difficult going down as up (got charged by a cow, too - had to flee into the foliage! Apparently you're meant to shout at them, hit them with your pump, etc.; I'm not convinced...).

Buet was still very snowy so I gave climbing it a miss - Grenairon told me crampons were still needed for the ascent from Emosson/Cheval Blanc, although not from Pierre Berard.

I thought it must be round that side. I've been looking at doing the TdMB this year and I'd like to explore round there and do some more around Anterne. I've done Buet on skis but I've no idea what it would be like in Summer, apart from being a very big push!

TMB is definitely high on my list too.

Only one way to find out about Buet! I'm sure someone on here will have ridden it before the summer is out. The Cicerone guide says the Col de Salenton part is rubbly, indistinct and snowy long into July/August. Beyond that I don't know -but there was a lot of snow up there as of last Sunday.

How is the ladder descent down to Anterne - is it a piece of cake, or "scary"? The glacier descent above also has some very steep steps, with a cable. Hard work...

Fantastic pictures, no doubt you had a great time. Phil is a top guy and knows the place extremely well. Can reccomend MBMB enough to people the TMB is a fantastic trip.

I think we need a separate thread called show me your TMB pictures!

looks amazing

where were you based?

was it all uplift?

I've found a link to MBMB but nothing for Zero G

I was based at MBMB; there was some but very limited uplift. The best stuff required pushing, sometimes a [i]lot[/i] of pushing, all day on broken terrain - but worth it!

http://www.zerogchx.com/ (it's the local shop - very good at impromptu spoke replacements and brake repair)

Glad you had a great time jhw. You'll find some info on the Buet below.

http://www.vttour.fr/sommets/le-buet,319.html?sorties. I have never done it from the Grenairon side but I've seen photos and would be fairly difficult with a bike.

You'll have to do the Tour du Combin next, http://www.vttour.fr/sorties/grand-combin,467.html an alternative to the TMB.

One of my favourite ones is the Fenêtre du Durand, a bit further away from Chamonix http://www.alpavista.ch/Alp11/2010/09/05/fenetre-de-durand-2010/, now that is lovely, awesome views.

Knew I'd seen it somewhere

http://blog-de-daniel-hem.over-blog.com/article-29808924.html

(for the equipped passage)

Looks fantastic, im off on thursday, staying with Phil but riding on my own(or with the lads on this months cover if im lucky) . The TDMB is the best bike ride ive ever been on,and Phil nows it better than most.
Im probably not going to be able to sleep tonight after seeing your picture. Thanks.

Great stuff JHW

In there I can see
Holy trail
Servoz ridge
Courmayeur from the testa bernada?
Bissonay from Nid Aigle?

anything else?

That's about it - some stuff below the treeline at the bottom and top ends of the valley too.

Some great ideas for when I head back, thanks!

I'd say the best day was over on the Italian side but that is one hell of a push up. Took 6 hours round trip, without stopping properly for lunch. You could do it in 8, have a leisurely lunch at Refuge Bertone and still get the 5pm bus back into Chamonix.

That looks amazing and far more interesting riding than the endless stream of dh style radical dude pictures one normally gets when an Alps thread pops up.

Those are some truly inspirational shots! Perfectly sums up Alpine riding. To go to the Alps and only ride the man-made stuff seems crazy when you could ride the above!

Been to the Alps for the last two summers and have only ridden proper singletrack but this year we have 8 days in Eastern Switzerland followed by a week in the Tarentaise valley. I'll give the man-made stuff a go, if we come across any decent looking bits. But, you can't beat epic singletrack descents.

JHW I've never done Anterne - always gone Holy Trail direction from the top of Brevent, or back round the front.

Could you give me a link to the bus timetable from Courmayeur?

EDIT - Used my initiative.

Any issues getting the bikes on?

If anybody is looking for a down day then there are some incredible baths at Pre St Didier. I am hoping to take the road bike over the cols and meet the missus for an afternoon at the spa.

http://termedipre.it/

Comes into effect next week>

<(all timetables at http://www.chamonet.com/maps-and-timetables/chamonix-valley-maps-and-timetables.htm)

Who says I don't do "dh style radical dude" - check my spaceman outfit 🙂 :

[img] [/img]

Thanks for all the kind words!

edit - yes there were issues - you have to pay quite a lot extra - can't remember exactly but it was about 35 euros all in, I think. It gets quite hairy if you have more than one bike - you basically have to pile them flat on each other in this trailer the bus tows, great recipe for scratches etc. If you can maybe bring some bungees and put your pads between them.

Gotta book in advance at the little hut outside Chamonix train station (they are not responsive to emails) and if you get back early, you have to go into the office to change your booking for the earlier bus - can't just hop on.

I bet they just shrugged and deleted your email 😆

It is good to know the option is there. I'm hoping to do a 2-day TMB but there aren't that many multi-day breaks where I can get away, so I could get scuppered by the weather and have to break it up.

2 days - ambitious! but doable, look forward to the report

forgetmename, are you Gary? Phil mentioned this kind of thing was up your alley, shame our trips didn't coincide. I'll be out again in July.

Hi jhw, yes im Gary, i was seriously thinking of doing at least 1 wkend in july, what dates are you out there?

Cool! I'm riding July 17-30 inclusive. I'm in a group of 4 in the first week and some of them are fairly new to the sport so we may keep it relatively mellow that week (but it's still Chamonix...).

The next week (from the 23rd) I'm going to do at least one more big route, either on the Flaine side, the Italian side or on the TMB with Phil (will decide nearer the time).

ooh, found one more

[img] [/img]

Ok il try for the 22nd for 3 days. Il let you know asap.

sweet, cya there if you make it - you know where to find me!

Chamonix to Samoens/Sixt would be a good route to do. Only issue is getting back however. This goes over the col d'anterne. Easily do in a day.

Thanks - definitely on the list!

awesome pictures!! looks like you had the time of your life out there.......brings back lots of great memories of the times i've been! have to get back out there next year me thinks 😀

nice! im back out there in august.

Only issue is getting back however

Train from Cluses strikes me as the most likely way!

What's it like doing it in the other direcion ie Morzine-Samoens-Fer.Sixt.Chav-Hutte Willis-Atterne-Plan Joux-Servoz. Will be riding it in Aug as part of a TransAlpGR5, and never been over there (just on a paraglider which was a bit easier!)

ta
Chris

I don't know, but should be alright providing you head down to Servoz and avoid trying to go up the backside of Brevent. I know it's been done before on a bike (read about it somewhere). Lift out of Samoens takes you up to 1,600m, but I think this could be a little west of Alfred Wills/Anterne where you need to be.

But I'd start in Samoens not Morzine. That might be slightly too much for a day, depending. It could be alright but I'd take lights just to be sure.

Ace!

We're starting at St Gingholph (Geneva) and riding to Nice, pretty much down the GR5, not just from Morzine!

C

sweet! I can't remember where I read it, but I recall hearing it's fun in that direction too (and plenty of places to crash on the way if it ends up getting dark on you)

jhw il see you at Phils, i just booked 21st-25th bonus long weekend, my wifes so understanding.

cool, going to be a big summer

I've done the Cham to Samoens trip a few times - don't think it'd be much good the other way round - but then we did get a lift up Brevent to kick start the day - no such luck the other way round... Antern to Servoz/St Gervais would be good - then tram it up to Cham at the end of the day...

Chris E If you are doing the GR5 you wont be in Morzine? or are you doing a detour. Morzine to cham is a big day and is all about the lift timings. If you are going to do the GR5 then you will be missing out on any of the lift access. I have ridden to Chamonix from Morzine in a day but it was challenging and you need to be fit, and up for a good bit of hike a bike over the Anterne, then some more challenging riding terrain up to the brevent zoo ridge trail. more flowing riding would be to ride of the anterne to servoz/st gervais then take train up to les houches? but if your doing the complete route, then you want to do the complete route dont you! Just remember that it was designed as a walking route not biking.

Thanks Bonfield -J,

The route we'll be doing is not GR5 all the way, it's just loosely base on it. I've listed it out at the bottom of this if it makes any sense. Have been doing TransAlps and the like for many years, a bit bug-bitten like the thousands of german/swiss/austrians who seem to do likewise every year. Last year was a year off, partly forced by busting shoulder/arm/collarbone doing just that the year before! Every time I make up a route from hours and hours of looking at maps, some of the parts I know well anyway and www research.

I see you live in N-Yorks same as me!,

TTFN

2011 route - (place/Alt)

St Gingolph 374
Novel 970
La Plance 1210
Chalets de Neuteu junction 1834
Col de Bise 1915
Chalet Refuge de Bise 1502
Pas de la Bosse 1816
Chalets de la Bosse Rnes 1750
Chalets de Chevenne 1270
la Chappele de Abondance 1021
le Moulaz 1030
les Plagnons 1089
Chalets de Plaine Drance 1637
Crete de Rochassons 1931
Les Lindarets 1500
Avoriaz (poss downhill diversion on track to W) 1829
Morzine 991
Telecabin du Plenay (or on level ridge to next telecabin) 1550
Les Gets 1162
Telecabin des Chavannes 1560
Col du Ranfolly 1656
Le Ranfolly 1770
Chalet du Col 1691
La Bourgeoise PG site 1770
Samoens (via various forest paths) 702
Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval 760
Le Lignon 1180
Cascade de la Saiffaz 1429
Collet d' Anterne 1796
Refuge d'Anterne Alfred Willis 1810
Col d' Anterne 2257
Junction below Refuge de Moede Anterne 1979
Chalets du Souay 1569
Servoz (via various forest paths) 807
Chedde 602
La Fayet 583
St Gervais 767
Le Neyrel 810
Bionnay 916
Les Contamines 1160
La Gorge 1180
Les Foyers 1460
Le Signal 1860
Chenalettaz 1699
Les Rosieres 1770
Fenetre 1900
Chalets de Joyet 1890
Col ndu Bonhomme 2329
Refuge Coix du Bonhomme 2433
Refuge de Plan de Lai 1818
Unknown peak E of lake 2092
Treicol 1760
Col de Bresson 2469
Refuge Communal de la Balme 2008
Valezan 1199
Picollard 1202
Vulmix 1010
Bourg St Maurice 803
Les Arcs 1600 1600
Telesiege de la Cachette 2215
Les Arcs 1800 1800
Telecabin TransArc 2570
Col de la Chal 2457
Lac des Moutons (or better on track to W - Crete des Lanchette) 2573
Refuge de Mont Pourri 2373
Carro 2200
Plan de la Plagne 2092
Challet de la Grassaz 2328
Col de la Tourne 2656
Tignes le Lac 2086
Telecabin Aeroski 2695
Plan Semanmille 2219
Val d'Isere 1842
Col d'Iseran 2764
Bonval-sur-arc 1785
La Villaron (on track) 1733
Lanslevillard 1458
Termignon 1287
Branmans 1239
Modane 1058
Station de Valfrejus 1599
La Losa 2099
La Replanette 2282
Col de la Valle Etroite 2434
Las Grosse Somme 2326
Refuge l're Magi 1765
(junction before) Plan de Colle 1514
Blockhaus 1779
Col de Echelle 1762
Plampinet 1476
Val des Pres 1387
Briancon 1212
Cervieres 1636
Le Bourget 1876
Les Fonds 2040
Col de la Peas 2629
(junction) 2300
(junction) 2350
Bergerie de Peas 2024
Roulet 1802
Chateau Queyras 1350
Le Pre Premier 1760
La Fontaine Rouge 2125
Col Fromage 2301
Le Villard 1775
Ceillac 1640
Cime du Melezet 1822
Fond de Chaurionde 1967
Chapelle Ste Anne 2415
Col Girardin 2699
Maljasset 1910
(above) Maurin 1990
Bergerie Inferiure de Mary 2293
Bergerie Superiure de Mary 2365
Col de Mary 2641
Gr Donadei 2154
Ponte della Combe 1900
Ponte Souttan 1635
Ponte Maria 1404
Acceglio 1220
Gheit 1372
(below) Pratorotondo 1600
G. Respiendina 1951
Passo della Gardetta 2437
Rifugio della Gardetta 2335
Bric Bernoir 2350
B. Bacherlor 2450
Col di Salsa Blancias 2447
Il Pilone 1901
Morigrion S. Lorenzo 1414
Sambuco 1133
Pianche 966
Bagni di Vinadio 1279
(below) S. Bernolfo 1442
Capanna di Tesina 1947
Passo Tesina 2380
Santa Anna di Vinadio 2010
(road junction) 1850
Col de la Lombardi 2350
Isola 2000 1970
Telecabin Pelevos 2310
(below) Col de la Roubine 2256
Col Merciere 2342
(head of) Vallon de Tavels 1970
(head of) Vallon se l'Adrech 2025
Pont d'Ingolf 1947
Vacherie de Salese 1724
Le Boreon 1497
(before) St Martin-Vesubie 1100
La Colomine 1503
Col du Suc 1581
Oratoire ND. De Colmianies 1641
Col du Valaire 1771
Col de la Madeleine 1736
Tete de Clans 1959
(below) Partissuollo 2000
Cime de la Combe 1971
Les Granges de la Brasque 1700
Tete du Planton 1433
Col de Gratte Loup 1412
Le Brec d'Utelle 1604
(below) Tete d'Escandolier 1350
Col du Castel Gineste 1220
Tete des Pennes 1126
Utelle 822
(road to) L'Ibac 1050
Sanctuaire de la Madone d'Utelle 1100
(viewpoint) 1194
Col d'Ambellarte 967
(signpost - 105) 1043
Villa Planna 900
Col de la Moutete 841
(signpost - 98) 677
(signpost - 101) 690
(above) La Villette 621
Baraba 690
Le Collet des Moutons 450
Le Cros d'Utelle 300
Pont du Cros 174
Suorcalonga 267
(road) De la Fuont de Linier 512
La Grave 726
(signpost - 256) 860
(river crossing above) Trebausses 950
Trebausses 781
Gieinnanova 761
Ste Claire 512
(above) La Lausiere 565
(east of) Mont Cima 730
Aspremont 574
Le Faces 689
Crete de Graus 640
Les Giaines 308
Chateauneuf 160
Nice 10

Wow when you break it down like that its a big under taking 8O.
What is your time frame for it. Presumably staying at the refuges etc

Really interested in how you get on...

I'll post up a bit of a report (in Sept).

Am always happy to hear from anyone who knows about parts of the route (although I do know some of it). The guys at Trailaddiction (Les Arcs) have been very helpful with notes from there to Tignes.

We will be carrying all our own stuff (normally about 5Kg plus 2-3Kg of water) and staying in mountain huts. It's the only way to travel and to bike 'fairly' normally

C

Trip sounds fantastic - GOOD THREAD!

Awesome, check it out, coincidentally a photo of the Bionnassay descent above made it onto this month's Singletrack! A while back there was a thread discussing it http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/can-anyone-identify-this-trail

[img] [/img]

The thing I don't understand is where they found a trail that gets right up to the glacier like that. I was there, and I couldn't see it - otherwise I'd have ridden it! Doesn't show up in any of my photos of the relevant section - there should be a trail running right along the ridge above the glacier, but there isn't:

[img] [/img]

Some kind of foreshortening effect?