Day 1
We spent a week hiding away in Chamonix over New Year, and we arrived with every intention of undertaking all winter mountain sports. Instead, we couldn’t help but relax and enjoy the sites, starting with a ride up to the Aiguille du Midi for some fresh air and a view of Mont Blanc. Sabiene went all wobbly and woozy at the top through lack of oxygen after a run up the stairs!
Mont Blanc – Sabiene & Andy
Day 2 – Shopping!
Day two, and we were knackered already. So after a lengthy recouperative period in bed, we decided to hit the shops for some retail therapy in readiness for Norway in February. Snell’s thought it was Christmas – oh yes, it was. But Sabiene left having melted her credit card, having bought everything in the shop. Check out the gear in the pic, including the sexy gold Black Diamond Vipers.
Shopping
Montenvers
Montenver Snowdrift
Mer de Glace
A walk along the Petit Balcon Sud
Gear testing day. A walk along the Petit Balcon Sud all the way to Argentiere was a great way to see the Mont Blanc range on the other side of the Chamonix valley. And what views – the Dru looking magnificent in the high winds, and the forest around us silent and white. A fantastic day ended with a free train ride back to town.
Dru
Petit Balcon Sud
Aiguille de Midi
Since Sabiene had been a bit dodgy the first time at 12,000 feet, we had another go up the cable car to the Auiguille. The second time was just as clear – stunning views all around, and very tempting to put the crampons on and have a wander about.
View from Aguile
Ski de Fond
For those of you who do not know, it means Nordic Skiing, and it was the closest we got to actual skiing, but it was very nice nevertheless – and a lot more tiring than it looks. We set out early through the forest while everyone else was nursing their hangovers, so it was great.
Ski de Fond
Looks like an amazing trip!
And I’m sure Snell Sports can’t wait for Sabiene to return… 😈
Yeah, looks brilliant. Glad you made the most of the activities – shopping being a very important past time of all adventure junkies.
The Dru looks very atmospheric.
Don’t encourage her Pete – and she says she doesn’t like shopping! Let’s hope she doesn’t get the bug.
But I like to buy sharp shiny things…… :love:
Great shot of the Dru…
great pics……….. No chance of Sabiene getting cold in Norway then……. or ever……. 😀
Oh, congratulations Andy on becoming a “contributor” 🙂
So glad you had good weather and a great time. Next time you can include climbing as an activity; also a trip to the chocolatier/patisserie down the road!
Yeah, Petits Gourmands is an awesome spot to reward a day’s adventuring with a patisserie and tea/coffee!
looks lush , but did you not build any snowmen? 😆
Hi Sis. I did think about it but I don’t think snowmen are considered cool in the Alps. 😎
……..but the day(s) of reckoning wait you in Rjukan 👿
Thanks Terry, you really know how to instill confidence!! 😆
Well, Ian, that’s my job 😆
It’s only a little frozen water. How hard can it be 😕
😯 Anywhere from quite hard all the way to impossibly hard?
How hard can it be indeed – that’s the sort of yellow team spirit that’ll see you through Sabiene…
BTW, snowmen are always cool, surely?!