One year ago a good friend text me and asked if I would like to join him on a weeks biking trip from Geneva to Nice, not sure I can sit on a saddle for 7 days I replied.
Little did I know at the time that I would be joining a trip that would goin down as one of my best ever Sport Holidays.
Winter Season finished, I was in the gym cycling over my lunch time breaks to get that 'Saddle' feeling, fitness I was told, would not be the problem but more the saddle sore and the wine consumption.

Last Sunday we had a nice little Snowshoe walk around Bahnalpsee, loads of snow and looking like a good start to the winter!

Our plan finally came together and we made it come true.
Rob had invited me to come Kayaking with him a long time ago, but I always dragged him on hikes instead, this time I would be the underdog. After Rob being able to arrange for me to borrow a kayak for the weekend we meet at the leisurely time of 9am to head down to Meggan on the banks Lake of Lucerne, From here the plan was to follow the shore line as it wiggled in and out around the villages, towns, cliffs and forests and as you can see from the first two pictures below, we ended up having two pretty long days of paddling... especially for a novice like myself.

All went well, and we made camp on the side of pretty steep forest with enough space for my hammock and Robs tent, plus the luxury of a campfire. After a well deserved beer, or two, dinner was served (Steak and potatoes) and only the best red wine you can find in a box ;-)
Day two started with a long layin, the weather was a overcast compared to Saturday, but a morning swim woke us up. After packing up and making sure we left the place cleaner than when we had arrived, off we went for another long paddling day. Day two was different, especially with a windy, wavy crossing to Vitznau. and the long stretch home seemed to go on and on and on.
All in all a great weekend and a big thank you to Rob for his organisation and shared kayaking experience.

Last Saturday the RCL 'Old Farts' got together to watch the Dangels Home game and catch up with some old faces over a beer or two.
With lovely weather, great Rugby to watch (the Men's game was unfortunately called off) and some serious catching up to do for some of us,  the Restaurant was booked and we where all set.... It was a great Saturday with Mates, Beer, Sun, Fun, and even something to eat... we must be getting old.
​
Lets do it again.
p.s. Thanks Fergal

Schönbielhütte SAC to Zermatt, 2hr 45min +10m -1070m 11.5km

So we are almost finished, and the sun is shinning as soon as it rose (not like the previous days!).
Today was an easy walk after a 7am breakfast, down the main path from the hut, past waterfalls, cliffs and through larch forests we finally walked into Zermatt.
Smiles all around, we have completed the Classic version of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt.
A fantastic trip with challenging weather, long days, high huts and a great group to share the experience with, not to mention our fantastic Mountain guide Dave, he was competent, knowledgeable, safe and a pleasure to spend the 7 days with. Thank you all.

Same time next year?

Bergtolhütte SAC to Schönbielhütte SAC, 6hr 40min +700m -1290m 13.0km
Mount Tete Blanche 3710m

What an adventurous start to the day, getting down from the Bertol Hut by the same ladder, but frozen from wind blown fresh snow overnight.
Breakfast at 06:00am felt like lay in, out and down the ladder at 06:30am, traverse the steep snow slopes and over a the ridge to the Galcier du Mont Miné. The weather was not great with about 20m of sight in the clouds and 20-30cm fresh snow all made the Galcier hike a touch trickier. In two roped groups of 3 we headed towards the Tete Blanche which we peaked 3hrs later, the sun tried to shine, but we didn't get the views we were hopping for. Afterwards more adventure laid ahead, with massive crevasses to wind around and then off the Glacier, a bit of abseiling down Couloirs (one with a stream) and then the route back up the other side of the valley to the Schönbielhütte. This its self held some breath taking paths through cliffs and steep grass fields.
With a different view of the Matterhorn from what you see in Zermatt, the sun came out to join us for a well deserved Beer on the terrace, what a great day.

Cabane des Vignettes to Bertolhütte SAC 6hr +1400m -1260m 15.4km

Another early breakfast at 05:30am and out the door at 06:15am. Not suche a great stay or night, the Hut keeper was very Corona crazy (having been in hospital himself), and the rooms where freezing (luckily I had my sleeping bag with me).
Anyway down hill to start the day, down the Glacier de Piece and heading steeply down towards the village of Arolla (1990m), then a right along the valley for a short stroll before we start to head steeply up to Plans de Bertol (2664m). Here we sheltered from the rain in a little farmers hut and unfortunately this is were one group member decided he could go on and went back down to Arolla for a bus. We had a steep snow field above us to conquer, climbing higher and higher until we were at the foot of a cliff, with the Hut on top of it! The only way up was a 40m steel ladder bolted to the same cliff, up we go!

Cabane Chanrion  to Cabane des Vignettes, 5hr 15m +870m 13.8km

What a great day! An early start with breakfast at 5am and out walking before the sun was up. Down hill and around the corner to start the climb to the Glacier d'Otemma. It was actually an ice gradual gradient that stretched out for kilometres (three Glaciers coming into one!). Time for a little refresher course on self and partner rescue form Crevasses, with ice screws and the and pullies etc. Then it was on our way again up to the Col de Chemotane (3204m), across another Glacier plateau towards the Col de Vignettes, and and traverse a snow hang to  the next Hut, perched on the top of a cliff.

Cabana du Trient (3170m) to Champex, 3hr 20min -1680m 9.9km

The day started with a lay in as breakfast was at 6:45! A light dusting of snow out side came down overnight and at sunrise it was -8c, a nice summer trek.
The first part of today’s walk started on the glacier around the col d‘Orny, then down the side flank of the high path to Grand Plans at 2194m, from here we took the comfort of the chair lift down to the village of Champex.
 
Lac du Mauvisin to Cabene de Chanrion, 4hr 25min +1470m 10.4km
​
After taking a taxi from Champex to the damm at lake Mauvisin, it was all up hill to our next hut, with beautiful scenery all around, changing weather all the time, and a doggy stomach from coffee and cheese flan scoffed down to quickly. The Chanrion Hut is combined of the old part and a very new side building, made of reflecting Aluminium on the out side that blends in perfectly with it reflecting the tones surrounding it.
Finally reaching the hut, for once we has a bit of sun to sit on the terrace for a well earned beer!

Refuge Albert 1er to Cabâne du Trient,  3hr 45min +600m 6.63km
​
Day 2 and an early 6am breakfast, weather doesn't look great but then it turned out to be much worse in the afternoon. Up and up, through the Glacier du Tour, steeper and steeper and bit of scrambling and we reached the top of the Col de Supierier. From there we had another hour and a half across the glacier Plateau du Trient, till we reached the Cabane du Trient (3170m)