WALKERS HAUTE ROUTE

The Trient Glacier 

Fenetre Arppette 

Descending into the Arppette Valley 

The steep descent 

Martagon Lily 

The lower Arppette Valley 

Fab rock scenery all round

Trient Glacier views all morning 

St. Brunos Lilly 

Meadows,  glacier, sun

Landslide damage area on trail

Back out in The Alps for another wee stint of work. It's now Walkers Haute Route time. This fabulous trek from Chamonix to Zermatt offers fabulous scenery and much quieter than the Tour du Mont Blanc. A step up in difficulty with more height gained and big descents but the biggest difference is the terrain under foot. The trails are more challenging with steeper inclines and some boulders, loose rock in places. This first WHR of 2018 I am guiding for Mont Blanc Treks . A nice group of 4 ladies from the USA on a bespoke, private trip. A shorter 7 day version, taking in the finest days. We started off on the Fenetre Arppette from Col de Forclaz to Champex.  The trail has been damaged by landslides on the Trient side of the col early in the Spring. Fine in dry conditions but slippy if wet and care needed. Good to see the footpath maintenance guys out repairing it today. Hopefully it will be much safer in a couple of days time. Highlight of the day was a close encounter with an Golden Eagle soaring directly above us, beautiful. The ladies did well, for two of them it was their first taste of trekking in the Alps.  Great weather conditions,  again.