We have been busy starting preparations for the winter season this week, updating the websites and checking information. We have launched our new weather statistics: Today's cumulative, The Week's cumulative, and The Month's cumulative showing trends and allowing you to see when snow might be on the way - read the explanations on the graphs!
We did also manage to get down to Les Gaillands climbing wall for a bit of a break, spending an afternoon in the week's scarce sunshine. Temperatures were low and rain prevalent which led to a dusting of snow on the peaks mid-week. From Friday temperatures have returned to a more summery level, although mornings and evenings are pleasantly crisp.
Luckily the weather was spot on for this week's main event in town. This week's and the second ever Ultra Trail Mont Blanc is a 155km race come personal challenge to circumnavigate the Mont Blanc Massif in the quickest time possible - if at all. It is claimed to be Europe's longest endurance trail-running event.
The event has had a truely international presence with countries as far away as Nepal and including French, Swiss, British, and Slovenia being represented.
For many the importance is in taking part, a personal challenge to cover a course over which they will have climbed and descended the height of Everest and which normally takes the best part of a week to complete comfortable. The oldest classified participant was 65 years old, who came 9th overall.
We have just been watching the award ceremony. More the 360 out of the 1370 men and 124 women starters have crossed the line, the fastest being a local guide in just over 21 hours. Many taking part will not complete the entire course but will have achieved personal goals on the way.
"This event is the culmination of a long time dream and a passion for the ultra-trail, shared by an increasing numbers of racers and organisers from the three countries. Its achievement has been possible thanks to the friendship that links the inhabitants of the French, Italian and Swiss villages of the "Pays du Mont-Blanc" - from the Ultra Trail's website.
If you are interested in taking part next year have a look at the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc website which has been translated into multiple languages.
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Additional snow and weather information provided, with thanks, by meteo.chamonix.com and the Tourist Office
