The sun is out again, and with it has come the people. Out of no-where, tens of enormous 53-seater coaches descended on the Les Planards parking lots with determined vengance, quickly discharging their payloads of late-middle-aged-mountain-fun-seekers. The result? A clogged Rue Docteur Paccard, and a lot of happy shopkeepers with jangling pockets. The impact that a bunch of water vapour can have on the livelihoods of so many valley traders is incredible.
Chamonix is in full summer swing as I write; the temperature is deliciously pushing 20 degrees, there's not a cloud in the sky, most of the snow has melted off of Le Tour and all the best-known climbing areas, Barbarine and Chapeau to name but two, are clean and dry. A perfect time to get out there and enjoy all of what this tremendous valley has to offer.
Mountain biking at Les Houches yesterday was a lot of fun. Les Houches is often quite a lot muckier than the other Cham resorts due to the type of rock it sits on. The shales and clay down there hold onto the water a lot more than the granite of the upper valley, which allows the water to drain quickly. The result is often saturated topsoil - and bike tracks! - requiring a deftness and slight of hand unnecessary elsewhere. At one point my entire front wheel sank into a muddy patch up to the axle, leaving the brake disc hissing angrily and my entire front coated with mud. After a couple of laps I caught up with Les Houches local Nicolas Chausse who was slaving away in front of a bonfire at the top of the Bellevue lift.
Nicolas and friends are responsible for the first legit bike park that this valley has ever seen. Over the last month they've been slaving away with chainsaws and hammers to make an excellent beginner / intermediate northshore section, with ladderbridges, drops, berms and see-saws. It's all to be found at the top of the Bellevue lift, which contrary to popular belief, IS included on the Mont Blanc Multipass this summer. I recommend an immediate visit and a healthy dose of derring-do!
Even though summer feels like it's only just begun, we've got the Swedish Midsommer festival to look forward to - the biggest celebrations will be at Chambre Neuf, the Swedish bar opposite the station, this Saturday night. 15€ buys you a typical Swedish dinner (read: fish & potatoes) and plenty of Schnapps to take the taste away.
After you're done with Midsommer, head out to Fete de la Musique, arguably one of the year's biggest events, with celebrations, live music and DJ sets all around the streets of Chamonix.
Until next week - viva le hangover!
