Trip Report : Bec Du Lachet

The problem with this part of the Alps is that almost everything is as obvious as the Llanberis path on Snowdon not so this little gem. Parking at Le Planet pass into the woodlands and follow the signs for Peclerey. Stay with this track as it opens up and zigzags it way over the 1900m contour. Eventually the path makes a distinct turn to the left and straightens up but soon another clear but narrower path heads off right towards a gap on the ridge. Stick with this cross a single more dominant track and as the path narrows and steepens you move onto real mountain terrain. The path remains clear and you eventually come off the face of the mountainside onto an open ridge with views of both La Tour and Argentiere glaciers.
The route continues to climb and is now more Scotland then Wales with lots of small crags to play with finally at the turn point a further change leaves you in a mass of rocks that would not be out of place on Glyder Fach. From the high point 2572m head back about 200m before heading NW to pick up the steep ridge to Bec de la Cluy. This offers several small challenges but all can be turned or scrambled down with little problem.

From this point some care is needed sheep tracks do exist but they end abruptly and the mix of steep slope, mosses, and bilberry make for a descent which the Rhinogs would be proud of and your ankles will howl at asy you work your way back to the main path you left about 3hours before all be it 500m further east. From there the obvious circuit continues back to le planet.

Trip report : Glacier d'Argentiere

Needing to pick up some food and visit Chamonix I opted to make my first glacier visit of the trip. Ignoring le Grand Motes cable car left me a far from enjoyable hour alongside the main ski route down the mountainside, the only saving grace being the views across the valley. However eventually you leave the motorway and work up via a wooded track to a chalet. From here a easy track takes you to the glacier snout then a less distinct path heads up the morraine deposits before depositing you on the glacier itself. The return loop via the cable car station and a track directly down on a set of zigzags in dense forestry brings out nicely back to the campsite.

Trip Report: Croix de Fer

Does a long day out with five Alpine summits in two countries sound good to you? If it does then this long set of loops is for you. Starting off at La Tour lake the path up between the chair lift buildings and follows the walkers signs up to the Col de Balme. Paths are typically broad but care is needed to stay off the VTT routes.

From the col a broad vista into the Bernese Oberland opens up along with the easy Brecon Beacon like tracks cutting under two outer summits to col below the Croix de fer. Pack away the poles here as hands are needed on the final pull up to the summit but unless you go off path and keep to the pure ridgeline then in summer at least the warning signs have more bark than their bite. Sadly the path ends at the summit so retrace then cut N to the track the curves below you and across to the lower summit of Pnte du Van to see the full grandeur of the ridge(below right) you have looked down upon. Return to the col then up and over two further summits (l'Arolette and Tete de Balme) both rounded tops with extensive views before returning to the local motorways that head for the Col de Posettes and the pull up to L'Aiguette des Posettes a nice twisty path over open rocky outcrops.

Continuing briefly SW it is then a sharp steep descent back to the start in La Tour

Camp site review : Camping du Glacier, Argentiere

Forget Chamonix overcrowded and overrated Argentiere is a far better base and this site just on the Chamonix side of the villages is a little gem. Its not the flattest of sites but the soil is well draining and easy to peg into, there is a small play field with volleyball net and a table tennis table (bats free you just buy a ball).

The toilet blocks are at the entrance with separate toilets, showers/washing and washing up, and handwashing/toilets areas.

The site is also serviced by a grocers van, a morning visit from a baker and pizza van (good value) twice a week

Only the lack of a credit card payment option lets the site down a little. (please note five years o this may now be different)