If my plans for the summer had worked out, by now I would be approaching the half way point on the Colorado Trail in the Rocky Mountains. As it is I'm planning on setting out on the GR5 trail through the French Alps next week. Events and circumstances have conspired to make me change my plans. Firstly the dreadful fires in Colorado earlier in the summer, which closed sections of the Colorado Trail, meant I didn't book flights as early as I'd intended as I didn't know if the trail would open again this year (it has). This turned out to be fortuitous for me as some minor ailments meant a round of health appointments, blood tests and X-rays. By the time I had clearance for a long walk it was getting a bit late for the Colorado Trail. A shorter one seemed a good idea. I also thought it wise to go somewhere easier to retreat from, not so expensive to reach, and where I wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't complete the route. Europe rather than North America.
I'd always thought that one day I'd do a long walk in the Alps and this looked like the right opportunity. A two week autumn walk many years ago on the Tour du Queyras is the sum of my Alpine walking experience. A quick bit of research (the web makes this so easy!) and I decided on the GR5. I haven't done much planning yet but it looks the sort of route where this isn't needed. I'll find out! I am planning on camping the whole way (I gather I may have to use a hut for one night in the Vanoise National Park) and treating the walk as I would one in a remoter area.
Connections permitting I'll be posting updates here and on social media and longer pieces once I'm back in early October.
Have a great time Chris. Looking forward to your photos and reports.
ReplyDeleteI recently finished the Tour du Queyras and am planning to do either the Tour du Beaufortain or the GR 5 next year, so I look forward to your posts and photos with interest. Good luck and I'm sure you will enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThis was the highlight of our Via Alpina last year. It was September by the time we headed south of Mont Blanc and picked up the trail, very quiet, regular snow falls, great wildlife and the Mercantor was a joy!
ReplyDeleteGreat Chris. Thats one of the attractions of Europe's network of 'official' trails isn't it - so much information available, maps easy to get hold of, easy access.. I remember having to ditch plans to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats years ago. Enter the Tour de Mont Blanc instead with virtually no planning. Cicerone guidebook, maps from Stanfords, coach ticket from Victoria and off I went. Have a great time, and I'm looking forward to hearing about it!
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Chris, with 1cm=1km maps the route better be well signposted, otherwise you might become the next "Oetzi" 10,000 years hence! ;-) (Hoping to do a 3-4 day walk in a couple of weeks, not to overdo it and I'm 15 years younger, bah ;-) ...) Jon
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