Sept 5th
Chamonix-Refuge Les Grands
Daily Mileage: 12.4mi/20km
Approx Total Mileage: 12.4mi/20km
Campsite Elevation: 6932ft/2113m

E and I had a nice relaxed morning. Neither of us are in a hurry since we are both ahead of our individual schedules, so we both left the hostel by the 10am checkout time. It really is amazing how easily I can let time go by in a day with no real reason to keep forward momentum. It’s good for me. It was a great visit and time to relax for both of us. I’m sure this won’t be the last time E and I overlap. 

I’ve missed quite a few family gatherings over the last 14.5 months in which I was only home for 2.5 months, and that’s one of the most difficult parts of being away. This past weekend, I missed the yearly gathering for my nephews’ (my twin’s kids) birthdays. I’ve gone the last three years and it stings to miss this one. They are getting so big! 

  

 

I headed out on my next route, the Walker’s Haute Route that is about 112mi/180km, and goes through the Swiss Alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. So, from the two iconic mountains of Mount Blanc and Matterhorn. This is a bonus hike I didn’t expect to have time to add in this visit, but had hoped to fit in. Here’s an overview of the route to have a visual. As always, I now have the route on my Where’s Wired tab, and you can see it in more detail there along with an idea of the elevation involved. 

You would think that after all these years on hikes, I wouldn’t get nervous, but I was pretty anxious this morning. This is the Swiss Alps! E reassured me that’s it’s very straightforward and just like what I’ve been doing. Inside, I’m always going to be that kid that grew up in Southern Illinois with prairie as my reference to outdoor scenery. It is approaching the shoulder season, so there will probably be some weather, but just like I’ve had along the GR5, there will be plenty of time and opportunities to seek shelter and take time off to let anything pass through. I have ample time, and came here to actually see the mountains, so I’ll wait if necessary. The next few days look good, and I headed out to a clear brisk morning this morning. The first couple hours was a wooded walk up valley along the Arce River to the next village of Argentière for lunch. 

Another major factor to this day is that I saw online before I left that a fire that started a few days ago back home in the Columbia Gorge near Portland, OR has expanded greatly. I’ve been aware of the fire that started this weekend on the famed Eagle Creek Trail when teenagers was setting off fireworks along the trail. As I was leaving today, I found out that the fire has spread to a level of complete devastation of an area that means so much to so many that live there. All my friends are posting photos and it’s just devastating and so horrible. I’ve asked to use a couple. It’s on the Oregon side, where most of the hiking is in the gorge.

Looking from Washington at the stretch from Multnomah Falls to Angels Rest. Photo by Carrie Carter.

Many of you will best know it from the Pacific Crest Trail as where the Bridge of the Gods spans the Columbia River and connects the states of Oregon and Washington. The area is also known for wind surfing because of the winds that can blow through there. With hot dry weather and wind, the fire has spread insanely fast and obliterated a historic place we all treasure and consider sacred. 

Bridge of the Gods from the Washington side. Photo by Craig Giffen.

The reality of the loss hit me suddenly and hard as I headed into the wooded section of the walk up the valley this morning. It was so reminiscent of the Gorge that I felt like I was there again. It was deeply saddening and feels like I’ve lost a loved one and part of myself. There are so many significant memories and moments when I think of the Gorge. I spent the whole morning on the verge of tears. I don’t think it would have hit me so strongly if I hadn’t been waking in a forest that made me think of the Gorge so much. 

I’m both surprised and not that it’s affecting me so much. The Gorge is a haven for so many of us and runs so deeply to who we are. It’s not like this will pass through and everything will return to normal. Also, it isn’t just one small section. It’s the whole stretch so far from Bridge of the Gods to Angel’s Rest. It’s gone! 

My first hike in the Gorge. Eagle Creek where the fire started.

Anyone who’s hiked through a burn section on a long trail knows how hauntingly terrible the results can be. To see the flames so violently ripping through it is heart wrenching. You all know my affinity for the woods, but particularly the Gorge. It was so lush, green, and calming. I could always take the short drive to the Gorge and immediately be transported to another place returning refreshed and calmed. I love the way the trees rose high from the fern covered hillside like columns, so I could still see far into them. 

Columbia Gorge


Columbia Gorge

The soft pine needled trails with amazing waterfalls and streams in all the little bends. 

Elowah Falls, my favorite falls in the Gorge.


Punch Bowl Falls, on the Eagle Creek Trail, where the fire was started.

The way the light would shine through the fog like a stage light there to give a spotlight to the moss covered logs or rocks along the trail. 

Columbia Gorge

Nothing can put into words the heaviness of this loss for so many people. Word is that the fire may have even jumped the river and be burning in Washington as well. Anyone that’s walked through a forest burn knows how terrible and eerie the loss is. There’s nothing like the Columbia Gorge in the world and it’s gone. As I walked through the forest today, I felt like I was being given an opportunity to say goodbye to the Gorge and absorb it one last time. I didn’t want to let go and didn’t want it to end. I walked slowly and took it in while thinking of the years of hiking I had in there. It’s where I honed my hiking skills and has been my training grounds ever since I moved to Portland in 2009. 

My first overnight trip in the Gorge and PCT blaze sighting. Yes, that’s an external framed pack! It was a kid’s pack.

With all this sadness, I wasn’t wanting to eat. I got to the village of Argentière, and told myself that if I saw something that made me want to eat, I’d do that even though I had a pack full of food because I wasn’t wanting any of it. There was an awesome cafe with sandwiches and desserts that I ended up eating at. It was really good. 

However, once back in the forest, the sadness returned and had to focus to keep the food down. I soon got to the end of the forest and sat in the final shade before the climb up to Col de Balme. Many of my friends are posting their memories from the Gorge on social media, and I decided to go through what I could find of my personal photos from my phone and choose some of my favorites to share. It’s a process I needed to go through. 

Munra Point, my favorite hike in the Gorge. The whole right side is in flames right now:(

As I was finishing, a couple walked by and one had an Appalachian Trail hat on. We talked for a good 20mins and it really helped me to break out of the sadness and shift to a new frame of mind now out of the woods. I climbed up the gravel road to Col de Balme as many took gondolas up. 

Crossing the Col de Balme, I entered Switzerland for the remainder of the hike. I’m having some technical issues with the SIM I thought I’d have, so I may be limited to wifi for the week or two I’ll be here and posts might be a bit delayed. 

Looking back towards Mt Blanc.

From the col, there’s an option to take a variant that stays high rather dropping down to the village of Trient. It was a great option that traversed high and had great views. It started to hit me that this Haute Route was really happening. 

I know tenting in Switzerland is even less popular than in France, but it is doable. E was able to tent every night along the Haute Route. It’s just that there can be few opportunities, and you need to be aware towards the end of the day to keep an eye out. I figured I’d find something as I approached Refuge Les Grands. The view turning that corner with Glacier du Trient and Glacier des Grands was…well, grand! This hike doesn’t waste much time getting to the good stuff. 

Glacier du Trient

Glacier des Grands and refuge.

I reached the basic refuge that was manned by one guy, (but I don’t think they provide food options). He said it was 18€/$20 to stay inside or I was welcome to camp for free, yay! I chose a spot down a bit and more protected that’s perfect! It’s a really quiet and peaceful spot, and not cold at all. I’m especially tired after an emotionally draining day, so I’m looking forward to a good night of sleep. 

See the tent in the middle.

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