Maggie on the GR5

I cannot thank everybody enough who has generously donated money to Marie Curie, and those who continue to do so.

http://www.justgiving.com/maggiegr5-2

For anyone who wishes to walk the Gr5, I can recommend Martin Collins' book by Cicerone entitled "Walking the French Alps - GR5" The maps we used are of course easy to pick up when in France, or you can buy them online.

In summer 2007 we continued our adventures on the next stage of the GR5, from Chamonix to Modane.

http://maggieonthegr5stage2.blogspot.com/

Hello everybody. Last summer I walked a bit of the GR5. This website has a few of my pictures and memories from the trip. This summer we are heading back to the GR5 for the next stage, then the summer after that we will do the final stage.This website is a work in (slow) progress, but might eventually include useful information for anyone wishing to walk the Grande Randonnée 5.

This is me, climbing through the forest above Novel on the first day.

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Day 1: A beautiful day as we set out by boat up Lac Léman to our start point of St Gingolph.

The fountain at Geneva, as impressive as always.

Cruising up the vast Lac Léman.

Walking up through a lovely forest from St Gingolph on our way to Novel.

My son Andrew as he makes his way to Novel. Andrew encouraged me, motivated me and shouted at me - only once -'Eat more carbohydrate!' Andrew was also the navigator - take note, day 3!

Day 2: We leave Novel and Lac Léman behind as we move a little deeper into the alps.

The view from our hotel in Novel. Lovely day for walking!

A look back at our hotel in Novel. Something decidedly Allo Allo about the place but we absolutely loved it.

As the trees thin we start to see lots of different wild flowers.

Rising out through the trees into alpine meadows.

Some alpine crofts above. There was some alpenhorn music to be heard on the wind. Beautiful.

Climbing up from the crofts we look back at Lac Léman.

Me passing over the Col du Bise, our first col, with Lac Léman disappearing for the last time.

A well deserved snack at the Chalets de Bise.

The Chalets de Bise in the background as we climb again up to the Pas de la Bosse

The shy and reserved Chamois. . which turned out to be neither shy nor reserved.

The hills are alive, with the sound. . . .

Traditional alpine. We arrive at the lovely Chapelle d'Abondance.

Chapelle d'Abondance, with the route we arrived by in the background.

Day 3: We leave Chapelle d'Abondance after a rest and a visit to Chatel. Next stop Switzerland.

Early start on a mammoth day. Finishing breakfast on the move.

A waterfall in the forest above Abondance

St. Andrews flag in the sky. A sign of good luck, we might need it!

Me using the skills of my youth to good effect. Pity we are going the wrong way. . .

This is fun! Probably good for the quads. . . or something like that?!

Now if I just get past this tree. . . .

Still off the beaten track but getting close!

Pushing up towards Col des Mattes

Copying the pose - seen in Martin Collins book!

Picnic lunch in the sun.

Cruising.

Now easy there!

Descending from the Col des Mattes through meadows with the Dents du Midi ahead.

It's hot and steep. I'm knackered and dehydrated. And loving every second.

Eau potable?

A new ski slope takes shape in Avoriaz. Bloody good job too.

Walking towards the Porte du Lac Vert.

Andrew taking it all in at the Porte du Lac Vert. The Dents du Midi, Grand-Mont-Ruan and les Dents Blanches dominate the horizon.

Day 4: Following a smashing night in Les Crosets and Chez Nellys we head back to France.

The view up the valley as we leave Les Crosets.

A farm built into the hillside for protection from avalanche. Bloody clever these Swiss.

Spot the tourist?!

Heading up to the Col de Coux and back into France.

Mixed terrain and beautiful views on the way to Samoëns.

Heading down the long and winding road to Samoëns.

Interesting rock formations on the way to Samoëns.

Day 5: Leaving lovely Samoëns for the refuge Alfred Wallis.

Leaving Samoëns and heading up to the Collet d'Anterne which is the saddle on the far left of the picture.

Things getting a bit steep next to the rock.

The Cascade de Rouget. We are heading up to the shoulder top left of picture.

The Cascade de Rouget.

Fresh alpine strawberries. Our pudding at lunch.

The path threading through one of the many huge avalanche run out areas. Thankfully it's summer!

Shoulders beginning to sag after a real tough climb to the Collet d'Anterne.

A giant rockery garden. Storm clouds also building, better keep moving!!

An afternoon thunderstorm catches us out on the plateau. Still managing to pose for the camera though!!

Day 6: We leave the Alfred Wallis behind and head towards Chamonix on our last day for this year.

Dawn. The shepherds hut next to the Refuge Alfred Wallis. Idyllic.

Scrambling up the turf with the refuge below.

You can spot the GR5 marker and the cliffs of Tête a l'Ane beyond.

The quite beautiful Lac d'Anterne with it's resident flock of sheep.

Col d'Anterne in the distance, wee bit of snow still hanging about.

Heading across the snowfields to the Col d'Anterne. The massive cliffs of the Rochers des Fiz are on the right.

Reaching the Col d'Anterne. We are heading to Le Brévent (next to my right pocket). Mont Blanc in the distance.

The magnificant Mont Blanc, with alpenrose covering the hillside.

Decending carefully from the Col d'Anterne. Aguille Rouge in the background.

Finishing off a Mars bar in what must be some kind of record time.

Heading towards Le Brévent at the right of the nearest ridge. The Aguille du Midi sits directly behind it.

Thankfully we are going in the right direction - according to this old sign anyway.

Andrew on the Pont d'Arlevé with the Diosaz torrent behind.

Lunch at the Pont d'Arlevé.

Andrew with the Col d'Anterne behind.

Evian from source??

Walking up through the alpenrose.

Climbing steeply towards the Col du Brévent. You'll recognise the cliffs way in the background from photos taken earlier in the day!

Finally reaching the Col Du Brévent. Only another hour to the top!

A wee bit of scrambling.

A section of metal ladders and wires on the way up. Just don't look down!

Andrew and me at Le Brévent with the Mont Blanc massif in cloud behind. Fortunately there is a cafe here!

A shot looking down the cable car wires to Plan Praz, very tempting indeed.

Looking down towards Chamonix from Le Brévent.

Beginning the descent from Le Brévent with the awe inspiring Mont Blanc massif across the valley.

The end of a really tough descent from Le Brévent as we reach the outskirts of Chamonix.

Andrew and me with Le Brévent behind.

Our poor battered boots. (our poor battered feet are not in shot)

Sunset in Chamonix, the end of the day and the road. Until next year. "The achievement of one goal should be the starting point of another." Wise words from Alexander Graham Bell.