With Zermatt just one long day away and completing the final stage of our Haute Route adventure within reach, the hut was abuzz with equal measures of excitement and trepidation. The final stage to Zermatt comprises 750 m of ascent in aggregate over three high cols (de l’Eveque 3392 m, Mont Brulé 3213 m and Valpelline 3568 m) and 2400 m of descent crossing seven glaciers including navigating around deep crevasses. At 24 km, it is also the longest stage in distance by far and although all the descent sounds like a dream, good visibility is helpful to safe negotiation around the many hazards. As we studied our maps the howling winds and heavy snow outside the Cabane des Vignettes (3000 m) appeared set to work against us. The forecast for the final day was far from ideal with heavy cloud, snow and wind threatening to make the final high altitude climbs and glacier crossings difficult at best. We retired to bed early Thursday evening preparing mentally for the final push to Zermatt but knowing that tough decisions may need to be made.
The alarm clock went off at 5.15 am. The previous night‘s howling winds had calmed and the sky appeared clear. With headlamps ablaze we packed our rucksacks quickly and gulped down bread and jam preparing to depart asap to take advantage of the window of good weather we were being presented. As the sunlight gradually rose across the mountain peaks, an ominous bank of dark clouds crept steadily up the valley and over the Col de l’Eveque, our first climb of the day. We waited impatiently to see if the clouds would subside but they were determined and we soon faced the prospect of a long day in whiteout conditions. With route finding hazardous we had to face the inevitable decision of our guides to abort the day and ski out via another valley to the village of Arolla. Leaving in disappointment we descended quickly and effectively ended our attempt to reach Zermatt the hard way, on this occasion at least.
From Arolla, we caught a bus to Sion and then continued to Zermatt by train. We decided to explore the resort and while the valleys were warm in spring sunshine once reaching the higher elevations on the ski slopes it was windy, snowing hard with whiteout conditions. With practically zero visibility it was evident that our decision early in the day was a safe one.
We obviously feel a great sense of disappointment that we did not complete all stages of the Haute Route, for ourselves and for everyone who has sponsored us so generously, with the expectation that we would achieve our goal. However, it was not for want of trying. We had had several debates with our guides, Gianni and Jimmy, pushing to continue through adverse conditions but do feel a sense of accomplishment for what we have achieved. For most of us it involved several new challenges and, for all of us, it was a fantastic experience. Taking things into perspective and understanding that the primary objective of trek was to raise money for the NCH, the Hard Way Up Club was a great success, raising a substantial sum to support this worthy cause. Perhaps someone on the receiving end of these funds will take some encouragement from our efforts and achieve their future goals!
More bulletins may be posted on this site, and we will shortly put up many photographs from the week. In the meantime we would like to thank everyone for their support and help in raising such a fantastic sum for NCH. Look at the Justgiving site to see just how much. With additional funding from Balfour Beatty and the tax reclaimable by NCH, is £20,000 a possibility now?
The Hard Way Up Club 18 April 2008
The alarm clock went off at 5.15 am. The previous night‘s howling winds had calmed and the sky appeared clear. With headlamps ablaze we packed our rucksacks quickly and gulped down bread and jam preparing to depart asap to take advantage of the window of good weather we were being presented. As the sunlight gradually rose across the mountain peaks, an ominous bank of dark clouds crept steadily up the valley and over the Col de l’Eveque, our first climb of the day. We waited impatiently to see if the clouds would subside but they were determined and we soon faced the prospect of a long day in whiteout conditions. With route finding hazardous we had to face the inevitable decision of our guides to abort the day and ski out via another valley to the village of Arolla. Leaving in disappointment we descended quickly and effectively ended our attempt to reach Zermatt the hard way, on this occasion at least.
From Arolla, we caught a bus to Sion and then continued to Zermatt by train. We decided to explore the resort and while the valleys were warm in spring sunshine once reaching the higher elevations on the ski slopes it was windy, snowing hard with whiteout conditions. With practically zero visibility it was evident that our decision early in the day was a safe one.
We obviously feel a great sense of disappointment that we did not complete all stages of the Haute Route, for ourselves and for everyone who has sponsored us so generously, with the expectation that we would achieve our goal. However, it was not for want of trying. We had had several debates with our guides, Gianni and Jimmy, pushing to continue through adverse conditions but do feel a sense of accomplishment for what we have achieved. For most of us it involved several new challenges and, for all of us, it was a fantastic experience. Taking things into perspective and understanding that the primary objective of trek was to raise money for the NCH, the Hard Way Up Club was a great success, raising a substantial sum to support this worthy cause. Perhaps someone on the receiving end of these funds will take some encouragement from our efforts and achieve their future goals!
More bulletins may be posted on this site, and we will shortly put up many photographs from the week. In the meantime we would like to thank everyone for their support and help in raising such a fantastic sum for NCH. Look at the Justgiving site to see just how much. With additional funding from Balfour Beatty and the tax reclaimable by NCH, is £20,000 a possibility now?
The Hard Way Up Club 18 April 2008
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