{"id":18128,"date":"2024-07-22T19:49:30","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T23:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aleta.life\/?p=18128"},"modified":"2024-07-31T04:25:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T08:25:17","slug":"for-the-last-time-chamonix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aleta.life\/index.php\/2024\/07\/22\/for-the-last-time-chamonix\/","title":{"rendered":"For the Last Time \u2013 Chamonix!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Position: 45\u00b054’58.9″N 6\u00b051’19.9″E<\/a><\/h6>\n
Saturday<\/h6>\n

\"Chalet<\/a><\/p>\n

Pulling up outside our turn of this century chalet<\/a> flanked by steep mountains on either side of Chamonix’s narrow valley, we were glad that we had driven. Our house guests, a motley amalgam of relatives, friends and extended family had variously lost luggage, missed flights, or otherwise fallen victim to staff shortages and faulty airline automation. Undaunted, we shared a single goal: get to know Chamonix. Our journey started with the purchase of a five-day lift ticket. Because in Chamonix ski lifts run all year round and there is even more going on up the mountains than down in town.<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/h6>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Cold rain fell gently from the swirling clouds making for slick footing on the rocky scrabble trail<\/a> between the Flegere lift and the Planpraz telecabine. A brief trip to the top on the open chairlift convinced us we should start lower down, at the midpoint. The treacherous footing was accentuated by an unending stream of mountain racers participating in the Mont Blanc Marathon. An annual event for runners with a peculiar sense of masochism and a desire for accelerated knee replacements. Having run a couple of marathons myself, I can attest to how hard trail running is on your knees. In training the beauty and solitude of the woods is a welcome distraction \u2013 until you head downhill. Crappy knees is one of the reasons I took up cycling.<\/p>\n

Our merry band of walkers included Emma, Tai, Carol, me and Chris. Chris is a birder and natural resources manager by trade, and a photographer by avocation. With his help we identified many species of plants and birds, thoroughly enriching our experience. After a couple of miles, the runners finally peeled off and headed downhill towards their finish line. Carrying along the face of the mountain, we gained enough vert (mountaineering speak for height above sea level) that we once again had our heads in the clouds. Tramping across the remains of winter\u2019s wet, slushy snow we were glad to have on hiking boots and our poles with us.<\/p>\n

The fog lifted just long enough that we saw the little restaurant where we would meet the rest of our party for lunch. By the time we got there, though, the maitre d\u2019 rudely pushed the doors shut, saying the kitchen was closed. Coffee or ice cream only, he muttered through the glass, hoping we would go away. Undeterred, we pushed open the door and greeted our chalet mates. They regaled us of their bountiful repast while we rubbed our sore flexors and sought out the salles de bain<\/em>.<\/p>\n

At least the gondola dropped us near the centre of town. Grabbing a late lunch, we watched runners hobble past with bandaged shins and shoulders to lean on. My running days long behind me, I still miss the simplicity of the sport. Grab a pair of shoes and head out the door. Running is hell on your knees, but after the first seven or eight miles you pass the point of caring about things like that and live in the moment.<\/p>\n

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