I don’t even know where to start. It has been two years now for many things.
Since I went on a hike for the last time. Since I wrote the last blog post from the crossing of the Pyrenees. Since a very dramatic, tiring but also fun and exciting phase in our startup began. Many, or to be precise almost all other “things” just fell short. But this would be a story on its own and is not the right time for it now. I have spent almost three months now together with my business partner in a campervan which we transformed into our mobile office for this year. The best office ever! And a little sense of freedom again – almost like a tent and a backpack.
Because now it’s time again for my happy place. As John Muir already said in his days: The mountains are calling and I must go. I can’t tell you how excited, happy and grateful I am to get back to the place I love most. When Matze told me I have to take a break and go hiking or otherwise he would not continue driving in the van with me I thought he was joking. But luckily he was not! 😂
I always had a look at the Haute Route for a little escape in the last years. So it was not a long decision process. The last days were stuffed with marking trails in maps, getting new shoes (THE red ones of course), getting the equipment ready and today – finally – is the day.
The 7.30 flight to Geneva was mine and after a little nap I woke up to this… 🥰
For the next few days I will hike from Chamonix to Zermatt on the Haute Route. A little more than 200km, 13.000m of elevation, 11 major mountain passes and what appears to be a spectacular finish at the bottom of the Matterhorn.
Wow… I have so missed hiking. I have missed writing. I am so happy to be back 🥲
Also back in the game – the old and new Speedcross again. There were only two pairs left in all of Europe. One of them is with me right now, the other one safely stored in Mainz for whatever is to come 😉
And then Chamonix. An old friend by now. I know this town from the Tour de Mont Blanc and from climbing Mont Blanc. But it feels completely empty compared to the last time I have been here.
Some final errands: I needed a new Icebreaker shirt, camping gas and some food. Then I hit the road and the first thing I had to cross after I left town was – guess what – the golf course. Even here the “business” is hunting me 😂
I followed the valley up to Argentière and then the real climb began. I must admit I have been fitter before. The way up to the Col de Balme – which is also the French/Swiss border – is just a 1.000m climb underneath the ski lifts. Not nice at all. But the views back on the Mont Blanc massif were stunning. After three hours I took a food break and a little nap. I really needed it.
And when I arrived on the col the nice warden invited me for a coffee. Last time I was here, on the Tour de Mont Blanc together with Kaylee, the hut was closed and we camped just in front of it on our last night.
From here on I was on familiar ground, since this stretch is also part of the Tour de Mont Blanc. I did not go down into Trient but stayed on the trail past the hut towards the glacier. Another 1,5 hours back down to the Chalet du Glacier, where I happily and completely exhausted pitched my tent right next to the Buvette du Glacier du Trient, at the very foot of the climb. Tomorrow the Fenêtre d’Arpette is waiting.
Shocking footage though from the glaciers. I went back to my pictures from the TMB in 2018 to compare. It is not the same angle, so this is not exactly science. But I find it sad to see how far they have gone back in only three years…
