More amazing sunny days in Chamonix, with temperatures as high as they have been, the lakes have really started to warm up so it has been a great opportunity to go for a swim and chill out for a day at Lac de Passy. The lake is about a 20minute drive out of the Chamonix valley, has free parking (out of high season) and free to use BBQ's, just bring some coal, meat and some swimwear!
Chamonix Activity Report: 7th June 2009
It's a very relaxed atmosphere lakeside, with a few groups here and a few there, nothing like a crowded beach and you get the added benefit of being salt free. When you're out in the water swimming across the lake you get a tremendous view all around of lush green mountains with the contrast of the biggest white mountains in Europe in the background. A great place to chill, bring the kids, or even go for a run/leisurely walk around the lake.
On Friday we wanted to give climbing the Aiguillette d'Argentiere a go, which is a pillar of rock on its own with some amazing views all around and a good variety of routes to the top. When we met at the train station in Chamonix to head up to Montroc where we would start the walk up to the Aiguillette, a friend Robin Skinner had his ironing board with him... I knew instantly what he intended to do with it and we all thought it was hilarious!
It took us a little over an hour to walk up to the start of the climb from Montroc train station, and on the way up, there were a great number of ibex walking around, seeming to be fairly tame towards human interaction and walking right up to us and not even bothered that we were there.
Once at the foot of the climb we checked out some of the routes up to the top of the highest pillar and set the ropes, iron and ironing board up! The climb that we chose was fairly challenging, quite a vertical climb and with the view of Le Tour hundreds of metres below, it felt quit exposed.
Once the first of us reached the top, we attached the iron and iron board to the end of the rope, where it was then hoisted up and secured safely in to position. It was crazy to see someone on the top of one of these pillars doing some ironing and passers by had a good laugh and a good few photos at our expense.
We all went up and had a go at some extreme ironing, it was crazy to get to the top of the pillar and find the iron and ironing board there waiting for you along with some absolutely fantastic views all around!
After we all had a go, we checked out some more climbs - there is a great deal around these two pillars, 17 routes in all, ranging from 4-6 on the difficulty level and you get to share them with the local ibex. All in all, a great climb and a great day out. And remember kids : extreme ironing - just one more thing that you can do in Chamonix!
As I write this, the weather is starting to turn with a lot of rain down low, which means new snow up high so the possibility of some high mountain touring with some fresh powder snow could be back on the cards in the coming week. Even if it's raining down low there is still plenty to do with hiking and biking in the cover of the tree line always being a good option and can feel quite refreshing in the cool air that the rain brings.
Or you can just go down to one of the many bars or restaurants in the valley now open for the summer season. So don't let the rain stop you coming over to Chamonix for some ski/snowboard touring, mountain biking, hiking or even some extreme ironing this week!
Don't forget to keep an eye on our What's On Calendar for a full list of events taking place over the summer months.
