Hiking
Lac des Cerces (2410 m.)
Hike up to the Lac des Cerces from the road to the Col du Galibier, plenty of water in the streams coming down from the lakes but the grass already turning yellow in the alpages. The weather was a bit dodgy but good enough to hike high up on granite of the Massif des Cerces; this massif has several classic climbing routes as well as a military training camp. Part of our route was the GR57, a variant of the Tour du Mont Thabor (3082 m.). Fine view of the Le Grand Galbier (3228 m.), the highest peak of this massif.
More photos: Lac des Cerces (2410 m.) - Massif des Cerces-Thabor
A contour hike from the Col du Granon (2404 m.) to the Col de l’Oule (2506 m.) to enjoy the mountain air and for dramatic views of some of the highest peaks of the Alps, now dusted with fresh snow from the storms of the previous days. One of those super-clear days with amazing visibility once above the mist in the valleys below. Strong sunlight but a bitter wind from the North.
We saw Mont Blanc (4805 m.) and many other high peaks of the Alps using binoculars or telephoto lens, with the peaks of the Écrins immediately opposite on the far side of the Serre-Chevalier Valley. This rocky landscape is above the tree line but not without life: berries on the juniper shrub and the grass was astonishingly alive with crickets, small birds and occasional calls of marmottes around the water far away.
More photos: Col du Granon (2404 m.) to Col de l’Oule (2506 m.)
Loop hike from Otford to Shoreham and back in the Valley of the River Darent in the Kent countryside. Lots of wildlife and history in these rolling hills. Although hardly a safari, this area around Filston is a relative sanctuary from creeping suburbia and the thick blue line of the M25.
We enjoyed lunch outdoors in Shoreham including a copious Ploughman’s: happy to see that still on the menu. Brian enjoyed a pint of local Amber Ale with a simpler sandwich.
Climbing on good old Dartmoor granite at Leigh Tor, a family day out. I climbed a couple of routes on top rope as this is the first time we’ve climbed together, then a couple more climbs with my nephew leading. He’s far more experienced than I and knows this crag. And great for me to see at first hand and use together last year’s Christmas presents.
Stonethwaite
Hike from Stonethwaite following the Langstrath Beck upstream to this long wide valley which has survived with minimal buildings and habitation. Plenty of grass so a challenge from the Hay Fever point of view. We were told that there is relatively little farm stock (sheep etc) this year because of a change in the tenant farmer at Seathwaite. So, as well as the hikers on the Cumbrian Way and the wild swimmers in the cool water of Blackmoss Pot, we were happy to spot a grey heron, some lapwings and a glimpse of a stoat as well as the twinkle of the skylarks calling.
