I’ve got adventure on my mind!
I’ve had the opportunity to do some amazing treks and hikes around the world, and I plan on posting about some of them throughout the new year. People always ask me what my favorite is. Although I can’t pinpoint a single one, I can definitely highlight a few—starting with one of my all-time favorites: the famous legendary trail from France to Switzerland, the “Haute Route,” which you can learn more about here.
My son, Shawn, and a few other great friends found our way to Chamonix, France, within view of Mont Blanc, to start a 120-mile trek over 11 days and one day of relaxation in the beautiful Alps. This is a famous trail that winds its way through the highest French and Swiss mountains between Chamonix and Zermatt by way of beautiful glaciers and cool valleys, where we found abundant wildflowers and meadows across the land. The route was made famous by the British Alpine Club in the mid-19th century.
After touring Mount Blanc, we headed out of Chamonix and hiked up to the border of Switzerland, where we had beautiful views of the Rhône Valley as we descended into Champex. Generally, each day includes about 3000 feet of incline and descent on average, and on one very challenging day, 3000 feet up, 2800 feet down, and 2800 feet back up to oversee a stunning glacier and stay at the famous Cabane de Moiry CAS.
This 5800-foot incline day was definitely a challenge and made me very thankful for the entire summer of training to prepare for this trip. Generally, I trained four days a week for about four months, and I had a good number of hikes to the gondola in Aspen, which is about 3,000 feet in incline. Some of the fantastic places we stayed included small, beautiful little hotels, but most were in far-away huts, seeking refuge in places near Mont Fort, Prafleuri, Arolla, Grimentz, Gruben, and finally, world-famous Zermatt.
Hikers You Meet Along the Journey
On treks like these, it’s not uncommon to cross paths with fellow hikers over the 12 days. You meet people from all over the world, from various walks of life and ages. However, everyone is there for a common purpose: to clear their heads and escape the everyday grind.
One couple we encountered, Bill and Nanci, stood out on day three of the trek. They seemed seasoned, carrying sturdy equipment, though their backpacks seemed unusually heavy. Nanci mentioned she had wanted to hire a guide for this particular trek, as the terrain was challenging to navigate, but Bill insisted they could manage. He had recently acquired a GPS tracker for his phone, which he assured her would work even in areas without service. At first, it looked like his GPS plan was working, and we saw them every other day or so, always managing to stay on course.
Then came the morning of a particularly grueling hike. The weather was harsh, and we knew we had a tough day ahead. The trail led us along a vast, breathtaking lake before branching into multiple routes heading south. Fortunately, we chose the shorter path, as the longer one required crossing a glacier before reaching the infamous cliff wall. This wall had ladders bolted into its sheer face, which we’d have to climb to continue.
The weather worsened as the day progressed. Rain turned to sleet, making the descent toward our hut dangerous. We found ourselves sliding down hills on our backsides to avoid falling. Despite the challenges, we finally reached the remote hut where we would spend the night, cold but relieved. We had expected to see Bill and Nanci that evening, especially since we’d started the day together. As night fell, a warm pot of stew was served for dinner, and they were still nowhere to be found. By the time I went to bed, they still hadn’t arrived. The next morning, there was still no sign of them, and we lost track of their whereabouts altogether.
On the second-to-last day of the trek, I felt particularly strong and hiked ahead of my group. Reaching the ridge pass early, I decided to rest and enjoy the view. As I sat there, I spotted Nanci approaching from below, hiking without her backpack. She looked perfectly fine—healthy, no sign of injury—and found a shady spot to rest, unaware of my presence. About 20 or 30 minutes later, I noticed Bill climbing the steep slope behind her, carrying both his and her backpacks. I was curious and walked over to meet him as he reached the top.
Bill, clearly exhausted, gave me a tired smile. He explained what had happened on that infamous glacier day. His GPS had misled them, taking them along the much longer route. They had struggled across the glacier and then climbed the cliff wall in the middle of a sleet storm. The ordeal had left Nanci worn out, so much so that Bill had been carrying both backpacks for the rest of the trek. He sighed and laughed while saying, “Something to think about when deciding whether or not to bring a guide.”
Finishing the Haute Route
The last couple of days, we saw incredible views of the Matterhorn, and it was really special. We went in mid-August and encountered mostly perfect weather (with the two-day exception in the worst possible location of fog, rain, and sleet with some mixed snow mentioned above). Having the right gear is essential, and this trip introduced me to packing ultralight. I put together an Ultimate Hiking Gear Guide, and you can get some crucial items and inspiration from here that will help you in any terrain or weather. The day it rained, we encountered steel ladders required to help make the steep ascent, and I was glad to have the necessary gear to do it safely and successfully!
While this trip can be done without a big expense, it still has a BIG impact. The book “Surprising Life Lessons on Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker” by Glen Van Peski highlights how adventures provide the richness and texture to a life well lived. I couldn’t agree more, and I encourage everyone to take every opportunity to see the wonderful things that Mother Nature has to offer!
