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Mer de Glacé, rock climbing and finally Cedric! (24th July)

We had to start the day reasonably early to meet our climbing guide for the morning. Location was les Gaillands (a Popular local climbing spot), but we forgot to rent the shoes and hence had to pop back to Chamonix center and pick up some European 26 size climbing shoes for Alex. How sweet! The climbing was again and instant hit with Alex and he made his first 5m ascent. Good skills. The abseiling was his weakness given the awkward backward leaning position one had to take (and that doesn’t feel very natural). Alex went on to climb two more 10-15m walls before calling it quits. Also for papa the excercise was reasonably tiring especially with 32 degrees in the shade and felt 40 degrees on the wall. After about two hours we left for Cedric’s hours to rest a little. Alex in action!

 

Our afternoon session kicked off in a small restaurant for lunch. I got my log awaited Tartiflette and Alex his chicken nuggets. Then quickly to Chamonix train station and off to Montenvers to see mer de glacé – a huge glacier. The train trip takes you up some 1000m to 1900m and is very beautiful. Once there one sees the glacier covered in all sorts of rubble before defending towards the ice cave by gondola and then 240 stairs (not verified hearsay). In the way down one passes markers of the glaciers dimensions 10-20years ago. At this pace, one will have to walk 400 stairs come 2025! Anyway, the ice cave is pretty awesome and cold as ice (ha ha). Inside we checked out the light displays and ice sculptures and went back up to catch a drink and the train back down.

 

 

 

Coming home to the tent was far from funny. Rain clouds had appeared and started soaking some stuff we left out to dry as more or less every Night in Chamonix was filled with thunder, lightning and huge amounts of rain. We rescued most pieces from getting wet and got going for our dinner appointment with Cedric, his father and friends. We all met at Casa Valerio, which is one of the best italian places in town. No pizza though as a fire had destroyed their oven recently. Alex met his three girlfriends for the night. They had just arrived with mum and dad from London and parents got their conversations going. Great evening especially to meet Cedric’s dad. At 9pm or so I had to retire. Long day, but great day. The night ahead was wet and loud as it rained all night long and thunder echoed in the valley … Wow!

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1 thought on “Mer de Glacé, rock climbing and finally Cedric! (24th July)”

  1. Pingback: The boys are back in town: Chamonix calling | rocketontour

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