In Orsieres, Switzerland, on Thursday, July 7, 2016, we prepared for a unique opportunity. We would stay in this same hotel for 2 nights, so we only needed to bring whatever we needed on the trail for 1 day. For my parents, this meant lighter packs. For me, since I had trail running shoes and most of the stage was downhill, why not run it?! So I did.
We had a quick breakfast, walked back to the bus station, and took a ride up to La Fouly, where we would start stage 7. My parents started right away, but I needed a lightweight bottle to get water on the way. I bought a peach ice tea in a plastic bottle and had my phone, clip, and extra battery and I was ready to go!
The morning was cold at 55 degrees, but just a thought of Bakersfield 108 degree weather got me in the grateful frame of mine. I set off at a trot down the road of La Fouly and followed the TMB signs off-road into a forested trail. It was beautiful run! Plus, not having the weight of the pack of been carrying around for 6 days, gave me a sense of freedom and energy.
I passed hikers of all sorts, many familiar TMB hikers, and finally caught up to my parents m. After chatting with them a while, I set off at a quick pace along the dirt path along a river.
Since most of the path was downhill, 7 miles would be an enjoyable fun run. However, the path veered off the downhill dirt road and started a steep climb up the side of the mountain. For this, my run slowed to a quick hike. As the trail went higher and higher, steep edges made me step with care as the valley opened up below the route.
Then, I was startled to find a group of 5 trail runners come up the path behind me and I followed suite after they passed. I trailed along feeling a little better that I wasn't the only crazy person to consider running part of the TMB. However, I had a feeling these runners were out to run more than one stage.
The trail running team took a break while I descended down trail through forests, a dirt road, and eventually a few small towns down in the valley.
After 7 miles of interval running (8 minutes running and 2 minutes walking), I came to the mountain that would lead me to Lac Champex. I slowed the run down to a crawling hike.
For 2 miles I gained elevation in the sunny morning. There were some interesting wooden carved sculptures on some of the tree stumps.
There was also a mysterious huge rock with doors and ladders-- so I had to climb it. Nothing magical happened though.
When I finally reached the top of my climb at Champex Lac, I was pretty tired and hungry. But there was also a feeling of nostalgia, because 3 years earlier, on this exact day in July, my dad and I had arrived in Champex on our previous #hikingthealps2013. I had FaceTimed Alina for the first time at a lodging called Restaurant Le Cabanon. It had been a breathe of fresh air after a bitter hiking experience (see previous blog for more details).
So it was for this restaurant I searched and found. I got a table 15 feet away from the lake shore, adjusted my table's umbrella, ordered lunch, and just sat. The completion of the tiring run and hike, mixed with the nostalgia of the location, the beautiful view, and the delicious meal gave a special glow to this particular part of the tour.
After an hour or so, my parents joined me and we relaxed together. Since Champex was either too booked or too expensive, we had booked our hotel for two nights. We got on a bus and rode down the mountain back to Orsieres. But after getting off the bus, I realized I had left my earbuds I. The bus! My dad said he spotted an old man finding a pair and putting them in his pocket as we were getting off. That sucked.
We after showers and laundry, we had dinner at a small bar that served really good pizzas.
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