So the UTMB has been and gone, not exactly as planned but considering the dire weather I think they did a pretty good job at finding a way for the various races to go ahead. Congratulations and huge amounts of respect to everyone who took part, not a small challenge at the best of times but made even more harder when you throw in heavy rain and even a bit of snow for good measure!
If you've ever been hiking or skiing at Le Tour then you may have seen the Emosson Dam from a distance, a massive wall that fills the V shape between 2 big mountains. Emosson has two main claims to fame; the first for the prehistoric footprints that can be seen up there, the second for the bungee jump scene in Golden Eye - dinosaurs and James Bond, hiking doesn't get more exciting than that!
Emosson is in Switzerland but is not far away and fairly easy to get to from Chamonix; just a few kilometres past Vallorcine, you can drive there via the Col des Montets and then just follow the signs once you are past the Swiss border. The road up to the dam is steep and twisty with dizzying views of the valley below and is popular with masochistic iron-thighed cyclists, although I think it's out of my league just yet. A more fun way to travel is to get the train/bus from Chamonix to Le Chatelard and then take the funicular up to Emosson, at 87% it is the steepest train journey you are ever going to take. The carriages are staggered as the incline is too steep to have a normal shaped train and as it slowly clunks its way up the side of the mountain you start to feel as though gravity is doing you a favour by allowing you to continue upwards.
Once you've survived the funicular experience (most people do) you change onto a little scenic train that winds round the mountain side, passing through tunnels cut into the rock, before getting onto the final stage which is the gondola lift up to the dam. The journey up to Emosson is as much a part of the day out as the dam itself, so although it takes longer and is more expensive I would definitely recommend it if you've never done anything like it before. You can find timetables and ticket prices here.
Once up there you can walk around the perimeter wall of the dam, the height of which is immense and you get a real sense of the scale of it when you are stood at the top looking down into France to your right and Switwerland to your left - you can see for miles! The reservoir is surrounded by rocky cliffs and woodland, making it seem more like a massive mountain lake than an energy plant.
There are plenty of walks that start from here, some short local ones and some that take you deeper into the Trient valley. The dinosaur footprints are about a 5 hour return hike, so make sure you leave enough time to get there and back if you need to take the funicular back down to Le Chatelard.
After the wintery weather that has brought the snow line down into view the weather is due to brighten up again this week thankfully - we're not ready for summer to end just yet! Neither is Chamonix and there is still plenty going on in the pubs and bars; tonight is Open Mic night at Bar'd Up - a chance to check out the local talent (in both senses of the word) and also an opportunity to join in if you're feeling brave enough. I'm undecided yet whether to take along my big spoons or my comb and toilet paper...
One event you should definitely make the effort to see is the Waiters' Race this afternoon in the centre of Chamonix; all the waiters and waitresses from local restaurants will dash through town carrying trays to which drinks will be added en route, the winner is first one back with no spillages. The race sets off at 3:30pm outside the Post Office, so no point trying to get a late lunch anywhere at this time.
See our What's On Calendar for all upcoming events.
