Tour du Mont Blanc
In the winters of 2021, while planning my next hiking trip in the Alps, I stumbled upon tourdumontblanchike.com. The trek spanning 3 countries, 170kms and 11 days, immediately caught my attention. It was no joke, and I knew I couldn’t resist the call of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB).
As I mulled over the idea of hiking the TMB, I couldn’t help but wonder if any of my friends would be up for such an extended hiking expedition. They (including me), we all were used to day hikes and only did a couple of easy thru-hikes in the past. Although I had a hunch right from the start, it was only in early 2023 that it became clear: I’d be taking on this adventure all by myself. Fast forward to earlier this year, and I finally made the decision to conquer both the TMB and the Laugavegur Trail, whether or not my friends decided to join me. In this detailed account of my solo hiking journey, I want to document my experiences, both the challenges and the exhilarating moments that made the trip special.
I was really pumped up about these two amazing trails, and after some procastination I started planning my vacation days for the summer. As always, I left my preparations for TMB to the last minute, booking everything in early June, just three months before my intended travel date. It was a risky move, considering that most travelers typically plan it a full 10 to 12 months in advance. My plan was to finish the hike in 8 days, instead of the standard 11 days (bad bad idea lol). Somehow, I managed to secure reservations at the huts along the route at decent intervals (more on that later, haha!).
August had shaped up to be a particularly eventful month, and if I’m honest, I was more in the “I don’t really feel like going” state of mind. I was somewhat weary and tired, but, with all my reservations in place, there was no turning back. So, I reluctantly began the process of packing my gear, making sure I was well-prepared for any situation. As the saying goes, “prepare for the worst, expect the best.” True to form, my packing, much like my booking, also happened at the eleventh hour.
By the time I finished packing my bag, my excitement had returned. After all this was the last summer trip of 2023 and I wanted to see the mountains again, mountains gandalf! xD
Day 0: Stepping into Adventure’s Realm
Les Houches, a small town next to Chamonix, France was the starting point for my hike. The nearest airport was Geneva, so I booked my flights from Berlin. I had scheduled a full rest day in Chamonix before the official start of the trek. This necessitated my arrival in Geneva a day ahead, on Tuesday, August 29th.
Whenever someone mentions Geneva, the first thing that pops into my head is the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN. I had the privilege of working with CERN as a Google Summer of Code (GSoC) student and mentor in 2020 and 2021. I had always dreamt of visiting CERN and LHC and meeting my professor in person, as the GSoC internship was remote. So, I took this golden opportunity to reach out to Lorenzo, shared my TMB plan, and asked if he might be available to catch up on the day I was reaching Geneva. Lorenzo, who is incredibly kind and one of the most down-to-earth professors I’ve known, graciously invited me to visit CERN and have lunch with him. I was over the moon with excitement about this part of my trip.
I arrived in Geneva as scheduled and promptly hopped on the first bus from the airport to make my way to the CERN campus. Meeting Lorenzo was a wonderful reunion. We discussed the current state of the ROOT package and the projects he was currently involved in. Our conversation covered a wide array of topics, making for a delightful catch-up session. We decided to grab lunch at the local cafeteria, and later he took me on a tour of the facility. As he explained the different experiments and colliders and their roles at CERN in detail, I felt a sense of nostalgia, recalling the JEE days when I was studying modern physics. It felt good to witness the powerful practical application of the theoretical knowledge I had acquired in school.
Later that evening, I boarded the bus to Chamonix and found my way to the hostel. It was on that very first evening that I encountered an eclectic mix of individuals. Among them was Christian from Denmark, a 3-time Ironman competitor, who was here to conquer Mont Blanc. I also crossed paths with many who were taking on the UltraTMB, some covering 55 kilometers, while others were daring enough to tackle the 100-kilometer route.
The hostel conversations were amazing. I met people from all parts of the world, Japan, Argentina, USA and Scotland, each with unique cultures and backgrounds, sharing their past mountain stories and experiences. It was lovely meeting such an adventurous group of individuals even before I started my hike.
In anticipation of the UTMB TDS race winners arriving that evening, I made the decision to walk to the UTMB finish line.
The atmosphere was nothing short of electric, loved the energy and felt more than ready to commence my own hiking adventure the following day.
Day 1: Starting the Journey
My first night on the trail was reserved at the Gite Le Pontet in Les Contamines. Depending on the weather conditions, I had two choices to reach my destination:
- Follow the primary TMB route to Les Contamines, passing through Refuge du Fioux, Bionnassay, and Le Champel. Or,
- Opt for the Bellevue cable car and then tackle the Col de Tricot Variant.
From what I had gathered, this stage of the TMB had the potential to be both monotonous and demanding. However, if you choose the Bellevue cable car in combination with the Col de Tricot variant, it promises a more enjoyable experience, even if it meant a bit more elevation gain.
The weather had been unfavorable in the Chamonix valley for the past few days, with the unexpected occurrence of snow at higher altitudes just a day before. This was quite unusual for the last week of August, which is considered a summer month. Fortunately, the weather had stabilized on the day of my departure, so I opted for the variant route combined with the cable car.
My day got off to a rough start when I mistakenly boarded the wrong bus, heading in the opposite direction of my intended starting point in Les Houches. Eventually, I reached my correct starting point at 11:40 AM after taking another bus back in the right direction.
Once I arrived at the Bellevue platform, I set out on my hike. The initial few kilometers were relatively easy as I descended into the forest. The trail was very busy with all the ultra runners. However, as I progressed, the hike grew more challenging. The incline was moderate but certainly not a walk in the park with my heavy backpack. I reached the summit at Col de Tricot, where I met a few fellow hikers from Belgium. Together, we made our way down to Refuge de Miage, where I paused to grab a quick lunch.
Even before the hike, I was worried and concerned about developing blisters on my pinky toes, recalling a painful experience from the Laugavegur trail. The hike was undeniably demanding, and by the end of it, the descent had taken a toll on both my knees and toes. Thankfully, I was better prepared this time, taking precautions and using Hansaplast tape specifically to prevent blisters. Right from day one, it was evident that this journey wouldn’t be easy, and I needed to be watchful about my foot health.
At our refuge, I had the pleasure of meeting Yair from Israel and Sadie from the UK. We shared the dinner table, discussing the UTMB, the trail, and our experiences from the day, as well as our plans for the following day. We were all headed in the same direction, which meant we’d likely cross paths again.
Day 2: A Scenic Ascent
What a beautiful day it was, with clear skies and warm sunshine in the morning. I woke up at 8 am, feeling well-rested and ready for the day. The day began with me walking through the city parks, gradually transitioning into a forest, where a stream accompanied the trail. “Kingston Town” played on my phone, setting the perfect soundtrack for my hike.
As I made my way through the woods, a steep ascent suddenly unveiled the Mont Blanc massif in all its splendor. The trail transformed into a narrow, winding road nestled between mighty mountains and towering trees. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to launch my drone capturing the mountains and my hiking adventure.
Continuing along this path for a few more kilometers, and with a bit of uphill trekking, I eventually reached Refuge De La Balme. Since I had plenty of time left in the day to reach my final destination, I decided to stop for lunch. Upon asking the friendly hut staff for the local specialty, I was recommended their “toast with local cheese, bacon, and salad.” Now, I must admit, I’m usually quite reserved about trying new dishes, especially when it involves salad, but on this particular day, my spirits were high, and the mountains had put me in a fantastic mood. I decided to order it, realizing that every hut has its unique specialty, and who knows when I’d get another chance like this. Boy, that was a great decision! I loved it so much, even the salad was fresh and tasty. I left the hut with a big grin on my face and my tummy full.
From here, it was just a steep ascent to the Col De Bonnhome. Everywhere I looked, the mountains stood in their breathtaking beauty. At the pass, I rested and absorbed the views before I met the Spanish group whom I chatted with, the previous night at Le Pontent.
I then left for the final section up to the refuge, and this was challenging since we were now in snow territory. Yes, you heard me right—it was August, but as I mentioned, it had snowed two days before, and all the high passes were blanketed in snow still.
During the whole day, I never felt solo. The truth about solo hiking is that you meet amazing people, and you are actually never solo, haha. With small slips in the fresh snow, we all managed to reach the hut, which had awesome views, quite different from what I had expected. Despite some reviews claiming the hut was bad, it turned out to be surprisingly good.
With dinner being served, we all gathered once again. I found myself sharing the table with the Spanish group and Yair, who I had also dined with in Pontent. It was remarkable how both huts assigned us to the same table on two consecutive days.
Dinner was served, 3 course, vegetable soup lovely, local cheese and bread, pasta, quiche and chocolate cake at the end. I think even if the food is average, because you hike so much every day, everything tastes delicious when you are hungry. After dinner, we all went out of the hut to witness the sunset. The views were serene, with a dog running along the cliff, all set against the backdrop of a stunning sunset. It was a moment of pure tranquility. I decided to take a short walk and, in the process, realized the only downside of the hut at this high altitude—its limited water supply. This meant there were no shower facilities or proper toilets. Instead, there were dry pits, and let me tell you, spending more than 5 minutes in there was a challenge in itself.
Returning to the hut, I found that candles had been lit on all the tables, creating a cozy atmosphere. Everyone had gathered to engage in board and card games, turning the evening into a sociable affair.
I headed to the reception to discuss the situation at the Col des Fours Pass, considering the challenging 32-kilometer journey that awaited me the following day. I had hoped to take the variant route, which was rumored to be the most beautiful part of the TMB, but also the riskiest. The hut staff advised against it due to the recent snowfall, explaining that beneath the snow, there were fast-flowing rivers that posed a serious danger of falling into. Safety was paramount, and as a solo hiker who wasn’t so experienced, I decided not to take the risk and opted for the safer, albeit longer, usual route. Although I wasn’t thrilled with the decision, it was the prudent choice.
Later, I met Yair to discuss his plans for the following day and he introduced me to an older French gentleman named Jojo. I asked him to play a game of chess, he mentioned it had been a while since he played. However, the game turned out to be one of the most intense chess matches I’d played in a long time. Between our moves on the board, we discussed the Col de Fours variant, and I tried to dissuade him from attempting it due to its danger. Jojo revealed earlier that day, he and his friend had ventured to the pass to assess the conditions and see if it would be safe to hike the next day. He seemed confident that it was feasible. Similar to my plans, they also had a long day ahead, covering 30 kilometers, which boosted my spirits. I asked if he and his friend were headed to Courmayeur, and he mentioned that the hut they were staying at was just before the one I intended to reach. I inquired if I could join them the following morning which he agreed to, so we decided to meet at 6:30AM next morning, and leave early by 7AM.
As we engaged in our intense match, our moves unfolded, a battle of wits between two serious individuals, each fully absorbed in the game. My competitive spirit burning with the candles, and it felt as if I were representing India, determined to secure victory for my country – quite amusing, to say the least. In the end, with Jojo nearly besting me, I set my trap (I got slightly lucky to be honest), and the game ended with a checkmate. We exchanged a hearty handshake, and Jojo graciously remarked, “It is my pleasure to play with you.” I replied, “The pleasure was all mine.” With our farewells exchanged, I now find myself here, alone in the dining room, jotting down the events of the day on my phone.
Day 3: Facing the Trail
I woke up well before my alarm buzzed, the time displayed on my watch reading 5:11 AM. It seemed that the anticipation of the challenging day ahead had woken me up. As I descended the stairs to the lower level, I was met by total darkness; everyone else was still asleep. Searching for a source of light, I stumbled upon a candle from the previous night and lit it. As I gazed outside the window, the moonlight and the soft blue dawn turned the snowy mountains into a painting scene.
With the early morning tranquility as my backdrop, I efficiently packed my bag, ensuring my devices were fully charged, and settled down for a quiet breakfast. Alana, a fellow solo traveler and dentist from Australia, joined me at the table. She had been on her own journey for about a month, exploring both the Dolomites and the Alps. It was becoming increasingly clear that one of the unique aspects of the TMB journey was the stories of every individual you met along the way, and the recurring encounters that seemed destined to happen. Alana and I were no exception; we would cross paths again later in the journey.
After breakfast, we bid farewell, and I joined Jojo and Roneau to begin our demanding day ahead. Our thoughts were fixated on Col Des Fours, the primary focus of our day. The terrain was undoubtedly snow-covered, and our trekking shoes weren’t ideally suited for such conditions. With careful attention and caution, we followed Jojo, who took the lead in navigating the snowy trail.
About 30 minutes into our ascent, we reached the summit of the pass. The feeling of accomplishment and delight washed over me. We savored some memorable moments at the pass, capturing a few photographs at the summit.
In all honesty, the pass wasn’t as perilous as the hut staff had described it to be. I felt a sense of contentment because the sequence of events that led me here was quite unexpected. Initially, I had decided not to attempt the variant alone, after the hut staff’s warnings. However, the chance encounter with Jojo during our game of chess last night, the decision to join him and Roneau for the variant, and now finding myself here, were all rather serendipitous. I guess some things are just destined to unfold. Our careful approach had paid off, but we were aware that the descent would likely pose its own set of challenges. The adventure was far from over. It was time to turn our attention to the descent on the other side of Col Des Fours, knowing that the journey would continue to test our mettle. “Jojo say, Ani do!” were the instructions of the leader for the descent. haha! xD
As we descended from the snowy section of the variant, a new dimension of the TMB’s beauty began to unfold. The landscape transformed into vast, sprawling green valleys adorned with glacial streams that meandered on either side of the trail, set against the backdrop of beautiful blue skies. Their crystal-clear waters cascaded over phyllitic rocks, creating some of the most unique geological formations. It was a moment when the full grandeur of the TMB’s natural beauty truly revealed itself. Sheer happiness and perhaps the very reason why I was here. Just as others had described it, and in my opinion, it was the best part of the entire TMB.
When we reached Ville des Glaciers, Roneau had a local cheese shop in mind, and there I had the privilege of witnessing the craft of local cheese-making in this quaint village store. Of course, we couldn’t resist purchasing some of the delicious local cheese. However, after crossing the variant, the climb to Col De Seigne was nothing short of grueling, absolutely brutal. It demanded a steep climb of 850 meters in elevation. This mountain pass marked the boundary between France and Italy, and once we reached its summit, we took a brief pause to enjoy our picnic lunch. This vantage point oddly reminded me of the mountains in Ladakh.
Crossing into Italy, the beautiful views continued, with the green mountains on one side and the glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif on the other. Walking through the valley offered a welcomed respite from the challenging Col climb we had just conquered. After one final steep ascent of about 500 meters to Arp Vieille Superiore, running parallel to Val Veny, we were relieved to have left the demanding ascents behind. Now, only a few kilometers separated us from our hut near Courmayeur. Throughout this section of our hike, we encountered many curious ferrets along the trail. I enjoyed some trail running towards the last section and descent of the day and at around half past four, we reached Maison Ville, where Jojo and Roneau were staying.
We saw many ferrets on the trail around this area before finally reaching our hut. At about half past four, we reached Maison Ville where Jojo and Roneau were staying. My refuge was just a stone’s throw away. After saying goodbye and thanking them for their company I left for my refuge Gite La Randonneur. Interestingly Jojo and Roneau would be sharing the same hut the following day, so I was happy to be meeting them again tomorrow.
While the day had been challenging, trekking alongside Jojo and Roneau made it considerably more manageable. It was inspiring to witness their stamina and endurance, especially considering their ages (both being in their 60s). Despite being 25, it was often me who found myself catching my breath before these seasoned hikers. I am sincerely grateful for their company. I had initially thought that this day would be the toughest and longest, but little did I realize that it was merely the start of the challenges that lay ahead in the days to come.
After arriving at my hut, I promptly removed my double-layered socks to inspect my feet for any signs of blister formation. Fortunately, everything appeared to be in good shape, but it’s a good practice to perform these checks regularly. I then bumped into some familiar faces, the Dutch guys I had initially met on Day 1. I was sharing the room with Arnau who was trail running the whole tour in 5 days, and another couple from Iran who were now living in Switzerland, they were doing a few sections on the Italian side of TMB. Later in the evening, I had the chance to meet an Asian-American hiker who arrived quite late. He had ventured across the variant to Robert Blanc hut and had ambitious plans to undertake the Haute Route and TMB in combination. Watching some of the videos from his journey was truly inspiring.
Day 4: An Unforeseen Challenge
The day began with me waking up to the sounds of the first TMB runners passing by our hut. We had expected them, so I rose at 3:30AM upon hearing their footsteps. Watching them prompted deep thoughts about the dedication and commitment of these runners as they pushed through the darkness, their headlamps lighting the way. I cheered them a bit and then slept again, all the while thinking whether I’d ever be capable of such a feat. I suppose the saying “never say never” holds true.
I woke up again at 7AM to a rather basic breakfast, and after eating a bit I was all set to leave the hut by half past eight. The previous evening, I had washed some of my clothes with the hope that they would dry in the morning sun. However, the day brought forth thick fog and mist instead, so I waited patiently for hours for my clothes to dry.
During this time, I had an unpleasant encounter with the refuge’s caretaker/owner, who displayed a rather rude attitude and even urged me to vacate the hut yelling in Italian. She hadn’t informed me about an 8AM checkout time, and this policy wasn’t posted anywhere for me to see. Her behavior was quite peculiar, and it stood in stark contrast to the kindness I had experienced from others along the trail. Consequently, I wouldn’t recommend staying at this refuge.
After waiting a while for my clothes to dry out, it soon became apparent that I had a considerable distance to cover, and I shouldn’t wait any longer. So, I made the decision to hang them on my backpack, and move. With all the trail runners from UTMB on the path, I felt inspired to engage in a bit of trail running myself, even with my 14kg backpack, as I descended the first 5 kilometers leading to Courmayeur.
Courmayeur, located on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, is a picturesque sports town often referred to as the “Italian Chamonix.” I had heard great things about the food in this town and wanted to try something. I stumbled upon a delightful brunch spot called Pan Per Focaccia, conveniently situated in the town center just a short walk off the trail. I indulged in two delicious Focaccias and then satisfied my sweet tooth with a warm Crepe, all while enjoying the live Ind vs. Pak Asia Cup cricket match.
I then went into a souvenier shop to buy something as a memory for TMB, also inquired about the distance to Rifugio Elena, and the lady managing the store there informed me that it was just 3-4 hours away. Relieved by this information, I proceeded on my hike out of Courmayeur. However, reality turned out to be quite different. As I continued my hike out of Courmayeur, I met Alana near the start of the steep ascent to Rifugio Bertone. With the trail runners all around, the path was bustling, and we made way for them while offering words of encouragement. The steep ascent with sun shining at its full, added to the challenge. Alana was staying at Bertone for the night, so we parted our ways here. When I glanced at my watch, it showed 2:30pm, and I felt at ease, thinking I had covered about an hour and a half of the journey, and the lady in Courmayeur had assured me it was only 3-4 hours in total.
With a short water stop, I started to move towards Rifugio Bonnati at around 3pm. To my shock, the trail sign read “Bonnati: 3 hours and 30 minutes”, which was still 7 kilometers away, with no mention of Rifugio Elena. I stood in disbelief, thinking whether the sign was inaccurate. All TMB huts expect hikers to arrive by 6 pm, and there was no way I could make it to Elena on time if the sign was correct. I double checked my komoot maps, and it was indeed 7kms away, so I decided to run alongside the trail runners once more, and made it to Bonnati at around 4:20 pm.
At this point, I spotted a small sign indicating it would take another 3.5 hours to reach Rifugio Elena, which further clarified that everyone who had provided earlier estimates had been mistaken. Panicked at the thought of missing dinner, I sent a message to Jojo, informing him that I would be late and asking if he could relay the message to the hut staff. After a short break at Bonnati to regain some energy, I continued to run for the remainder of the hike.
The frustration of receiving incorrect estimates along the way had taken a toll on me, but I pushed through, managing to reach Rifugio Elena at 6:30pm after much hardship and probably cutting an hour off the estimated time by running. I had heavily underestimated the challenges of this day. According to my watch, I had covered a distance of 26kms, which was nearly equal to the distance we had hiked the previous day, a day I had considered the most arduous. However, because of my miscalculations and the incorrect estimates I had been provided, I had inadvertently made this day exceptionally strenuous for myself. Regardless, I was relieved to have reached the refuge before dinner time, and overall grateful that the weather gods had been kind, keeping any rain clouds at bay until now. I was reunited with Jojo and Roneau at the dinner table and was dying to attack the food. We discussed about our day while the hut staff served a great three course meal, I had salad, a meat dish and berrycake/tart. My hunger was so intense that even dishes I might normally be quite selective about, tasted heavenly. It’s remarkable how one’s perspective on food can change when you’re out in the mountains and appreciating the available resources.
I went outside after dinner, hoping to catch the sunset and find some network signal to connect with family, friends and upload my Strava activity haha. The refuge was located at a beautiful hill facing the ginormous glacier in front on the Mont Blanc massif. I met Steff from the US, both of us captured some photos before returning to the hut as the temperatures dropped. Later, I had a discussion with Jojo about our plans for the next day, and it was quite surprising that we were headed to the same hut once again. It’s truly incredible how you keep encountering familiar faces on the TMB day after day. Our friendship had grown by this point, and I was genuinely thrilled that we’d be departing together the next day.
Day 5: Making Strides
After the challenges of the last two days, I felt a sense of relief knowing that, although today’s route was the longest in terms of distance at approximately 30kms, most of it consisted of flat terrain with relatively less elevation gain. Our plan was to set out together with Jojo and Roneau, but, as usual, I found myself running a bit behind schedule. I asked them to go ahead, and they kindly assured me that they would go at a slow pace. However, I was well aware that their “slow” was not quite what most people would consider slow, and catching up to them would be quite a task.
I left Elena shortly after Jojo and Roneau, starting at a leisurely pace as I hiked my way up to Grand Col Ferret, a significant pass that marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. I crossed into Switzerland and from here it was a long descent leading me to the first refuge called Alpage de la Peule, situated a few kms before La Fouly. I decided to grab some brunch here. The food I had was a real treat, and it reminded me of the bacon cheese toast I had on day 2.
The next stretch of my journey was a lengthy and somewhat solitary walk towards La Fouly and eventually to my ultimate destination, Champex Lac. At this point, many hikers opt to take a bus since this section of the TMB doesn’t offer the most scenic views. For the most part, you’re trekking along asphalt roads with the grand Mont Blanc massif concealed behind other mountains. However, I let my pride get the best of me, choosing to keep walking because I was determined to complete the entire trail without shortcuts. It felt like I was the only one on the trail, without anyone behind me or approaching from the opposite direction. To make this long stretch more manageable, I broke it down into smaller segments and set goals for both distance and time, ensuring I maintained a brisk pace. This day marked one of the few times during the hike that I was completely solo. I spent some time just walking through the forests and then some listening to some music while I hiked. I had a slight navigational error, but I quickly recognized my mistake and retraced my steps to the correct trail towards Praz-de-Fort.
As I approached Praz de Fort, a typical Swiss village cradled in Val Ferret, I knew that I was entering the last leg of my journey. This picturesque village, with its traditional alpine architecture and lush green surroundings, had the classic scenery you’d typically associate with Switzerland. I continued on the trail, winding through the village, which offered glimpses of the local way of life in Swiss countryside.
After tackling the ascent I reached Champex Lac, a beautiful lake in the mountains and here I finally met Jojo and Roneau who were relaxing at the lake.
As we made our way to Gite Bon Abri, our refuge for tonight, an extraordinary coincidence occurred. Among the few people on the road, I spotted someone wearing a sports festival T-shirt from my alma mater, IIT Roorkee, which I instantly recognised. I was pleasantly surprised because, up to that point in my hike, I hadn’t encountered any other Indians. I eagerly crossed the road to inquire if he was a fellow Roorkee alumnus, and it turned out he (Amit) was just two years senior to my batch. He was also trekking the TMB, we engaged in a conversation about our experiences and the trail before I continued to my hut.
Day 6: My Ultimate Test Battling the Elements
Hardest of all the days.
Climb to Fenetre de arpete hard some scrambling through the boulders at the top no water source sun was shining bright finished my water halfway as i reached the summit of the pass. going down from here
eating at the cafe, buying the most expensive water of my life. only to realise i was running very late and had only covered half the distance for the day
message to sanipt about being safe
i was the only hiker on the route and by this time my back and shoulders were really hurting from all the climb and the sun beating red hot on that day
Listening to the song It’s not over yet
Day 7: A Hike with New Friends
After seven days at altitude with the sun beating down for the last few days, I was slightly burnt and tanned. Yeah, I made the mistake of not bringing sunscreen. But this did not stop us from enjoying the last two days. With my new friend, we started out towards our common destination for the day. When you are in the mountains, it brings out some of the best discussions. While we hiked down to the valley, we touched various topics from philosophy to math and nerdy AI discussion. I must say Elizabeth is a great listener and something I should learn from her.
Popular ladders section
Reunion with my french dads
Expensive lunch at the very busy Lac Blanc
Day 8: Reflection, Realization, and Gratitude
Last Dance Left solo couldn’t find Elizabeth but she got me Again interesting philosophical discussion moving into graphs and maths Last part solo thinking about so many things. Hard things and challenging things really intrugue me. Camino vipasna.
We all End together Grab a croissant and a beer. Again great discussions. So inspiring she is
I’ve always found that the feeling of summiting a mountain is directly linked to the time, effort and energy that has gone into it. As an example, climb/ski up any mountain, and you’re going to feel pretty pleased with yourself. If you get a chairlift or a helicopter to the top, then the view is still the same, but your sense of achievement is pretty minimal.
It took me 10 years and 3 attempts to climb K2. When I eventually made it to the summit it was probably the most emotional experience of my life (perhaps beaten only by the birth of my first child). I wouldn’t say that it was three times better, or meant three times more than if I had summited on my first attempt, but it certainly made me appreciate the experience more.