Day 6: Trient to Chamonix

July 13, 2015 1:00 PM Leave a Comment

Breakfast in Trient. If you go, take your own. The lodge there provided cardboard sliced bread and corn flakes (I am not kidding and I did not even know corn flakes even still existed). I started the day hangry, which is not a good way to start the day even if you don’t have 19 miles and 6500 feet to climb.

But you know what? I trained SO HARD for this. I really wanted to have a smooth last day. And I did, feeling pretty good as we circled around the mountain in perfect weather, surrounded by impeccable and irreplaceable views.

But then I fell. I fell hard. I had one of those falls where I don’t move for a second because I need to know what’s broken.

Luckily nothing was, but I was scared, shaken, and sore, and I still had half the run to go. I keep thinking back to the whole trip and wondering how that last day would have been different if I hadn’t bit it. Maybe I would have been worn out and cranky anyway. I’m not sure. But I was sore, tired, grumpy, and just wanted to be done. I even threatened to quit, though I don’t think the group would have let me.

Soon enough, we were rolling into Chamonix, where Simon had set up a finish line for us. We had some champagne, took massive amounts of photos, and then headed back to the hotel for a shower. That evening was a lovely dinner at Munchies.

I can’t even begin to explain what an accomplishment this trip was for me.

Leaving our hotel in Trient.

Still feeling good!

Having a rest before our second big climb.

This climb nearly killed me.

I guess that is why they call them killer views.

Felt like we had reached the top of the world.

The sky was so blue.

Mont Blanc!

Can’t beat this view.

The boys!

A beautiful refuge just up from Chamonix.

We made it! Back in Chamonix.

The pedicure still looks great!

The dogs got a little tired.

Seabass Carpaccio.

Salmon Sashimi.

Seafood Curry.

Grilled Cabbage.

Day 5: La Fouly to Trient

July 12, 2015 1:00 PM Leave a Comment

We started the morning with a breakfast that might have killed a weaker woman. To get a slice of bread I had to tackle a Chinese tourist. To get a cup of coffee I had to put a German cyclist in a headlock. Let’s just say thank goodness Simon brought us some peanut butter and bananas to supplement breakfast, because it was a crowded free-for-all with about 50% of the food the Auberge needed for all of the people crammed into the dining room. I finally gave up and left.

I am not going to lie. It is exhausting to climb over 1000 feet in a mile. And we were about to do it again on Day 5. The good news is that (and be sure to look at the Strava elevation map) our first 10k on Day 5 was fast and furious! I even managed to clock my fastest mile of the entire trek, despite four hard days on the trail already.

I was so happy to have an easy hour to start the day. It was beautiful running along a river bed through pine forests and smooth trails. If every day had been like those first 6 miles we would have been finished with the TMB by now. We enjoyed the great trail conditions and we picked up the speed. It was wonderful to look at our watches at 9:30 AM and know we only had 13 more miles to go!

Soon we were forced to slow a little as we climbed up a hill towards Champex Lac, where Simon and Hugh met us with lots of goodies. We had some snacks then started off on the trail again. We stopped at a refuge for soup (delicious) and views. We could see down into the valley that was our destination. It was super steep with lots of rough footing. But soon we arrived into the tiny hamlet of Trient. Dinner here was a heaping bowl of pasta, which we ate happily before crashing in our beds. One more night on the trail! And we were all still going strong.

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