23rd Aug 2013: Tour Du Mont Blanc Day 1

Something really surprising about the public transport in Geneva, is that no one checks that you have a travel ticket or not.
There are ticket machines at every tram terminal, but no turnstiles, nor places where you have to insert the ticket to be granted access. You just walk in the trams or trains, just like you would get in a public garden.
Getting into Switzerland was much of the same experience. Out of the plane, collected my luggage, and followed the signs, and, err, was out of the airport. No immigration, no nothing. No one even checked my passport, insurance, nor accommodation. And even at CDG, things went really smoothly. My passport was just stamped, no questions asked...Schengen agreement is just a dream.

And yes, the Swiss clockwork schedule is not over rated. Immaculate trams and trains depart on the scheduled time, on the dot.

Meet Jeff at the airport, and we proceed to the coach booth, where we are advised that we can catch an earlier coach. Minutes later, driver shows up and we are guided to a small minivan which drops us at ‘Les Houches’ center about 90 minutes later. 3 passengers only, including the 2 of us!!!! The Chamexpress web site (coach company) is such a hoax...cos when we were making our bookings a few months back, it indicated that there were very few spots left...!!!
Sort the gear out and look for tourist information center to get directions to our starting point. Thing closed for lunch for 2 hours.

Since we thought that the first lodge we were staying at was fairly close, we decided to skip lunch, and hit the trails. First destination: ‘Auberge Le Crey’, last lodge of our return leg (since we are doing a loop) to drop excess luggage that Jeff had with him. Miss a sign on the way and end up taking a long route that probably set us back some 45 minutes.

Look at these big guns...!!! They would prove to be very useful to him later on...!!!

Small water break at the lodge, and of we go again to attack the 'Col du Voza'. Incredibly steep ascent leading to some 650 metres above our starting point. No gentle introduction here, pure huffing and puffing. To top it all, gorgeous weather with temperatures around 24 deg C. Heart rate touching 180 on several occasions. Bless those last few hard cardio workouts at the gym... 

Scenery, despite being nice, is nothing exceptional so far, since the big mountains are still fairly far, and hidden behind the smaller peaks around us. Add to that the fact that we are pretty much walking through a forest, which hides the view.

Good news is that am holding my own against Jeff, despite the extra kilos. We'll see tomorrow if that's still the case once he's well rested (he started the trek straight after 24 hours of traveling…and before that? He spent 2 almost sleepless nights when his brother in law passed away!!! Missed the funerals which was the day off his departure...)
Break at the summit of the col, and down we go into the valley. Reach ‘Bionassay’ about 40 minutes later. Check in the dorm style lodge, to find out that it's virtually empty… less snoring at night, thank you very much!!!

Flowers in Bloom at the relatively lower grounds near the auberge...

 
AND HOT WATER AVAILABLE FOR SHOWER...!!! A first for me on a trek... am used to the more traditional 'no-shower-for- a-few-days' experience  
Except that I forgot to pack in a towel..doh...!!!! Hosts luckily sort me out…
Menu:
Asparagus soup with smoked ham
All dente Pasta with pesto covered scallop of chicken
Chocolateish cake

Served a little too raw to my liking...Had to send it back to complete the cooking...

Nothing exceptional, but adequate.

We were invaded with flies at the dinner table, which we thought was weird. At some point, Jeff points to a moving object, which he thought might have been a cat. Stand up to check it out, and cat it was not...It was a Llama...!!! Next to the dining room, was a barn complete with Llama, Donkey, ducks and other small farm animals...and the only separation between the 2 rooms was a glass pane...!!! At least this explains the flies...Although am not convinced about the hygiene level...!!! :P

Set out at sunset for some night shots, but quickly give up. No clear shooting spots, so back to lodge for sleep. Actually, probably no star shots at all for the whole trek, cos almost full moon… wonder why am lugging around that 2.5 kilo tripod for???!!!??

Something funny happened in the Middle of the night. Felt cold...so pulled the blanket to cover myself, only to be tapped by Jeff, who was sleeping in the bunk bed next to me.
I had yanked his blanket...!!!
Trouble falling back to sleep....

Stats of the day:
3 hours 17 mins hike
About 10 kms
2,157 Kcal burnt.

about 800 meters ascent, 425m descent
 https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=e1a04597d8eea69e30368ec058544232
 

Les Houches 1007m 
Col de Voza 1653m
Bionassay 1314m