"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

- Dr. Seuss

Heading into Switzerland, Europe's most mountainous country, we were once again awe stuck by the sheer scale of the peaks that loomed overhead. There is certainly no shortage of eye pleasing views no matter what the weather. For it´s easy to forget that the weather at higher altitudes can and does become more unpredictable. Sitting t a lake side one day in 38 degree heat, whilst the next in the mountains, it´s at least 20 degrees cooler.

The French and Swiss Alps, with Mt Blanc in the top corner, capped in snow.

On our last night in Livingo we sat through a thunderstorm, and a lightning show that lit up the tallest of peaks. Camping is great in a thunderstorms as you can experience both the noise and light on a whole different level. Pouring rain and beating hailstones can´t diminish the experience.
Driving into Switzerland we knew it was going to be great, but didn´t expect to be driving over passes still covered in drifts of snow up to and above 10 metres in depth. It certainly didn´t deter the cyclist that were deeply focused on reaching the top of one such pass in Switzerland, in cold rain and sometimes very poor visibility due to low clouds. The windy roads are not for the faint hearted either, for sheer drops of hundreds of feet are not uncommon. I only wish they build real barriers instead of lining up small lengths of wood, not even strong enough to sit on.
And here it appeared that every small village even has their own ski lifts, which makes sense. After all, when you are privy to such spectacular scenery and mountain peaks, why not use them.

Switzerland is stereo-typically as you would expect. Large open meadows at the base of the mountains, wooden log homes with flowery window boxes, cows with bells, mountain goats, and not much of anything really happening. Silent sometimes until you reach the smaller towns or villages, and even then it´s all very well organised, clean and tidy.

Into an ice cave carved in the belly of a glacier
Mt Blanc, Chamonix

We were destine for Chamonix in France to catchup with Karen whom we know from Wellington, and was a keen outdoor enthusiast. Like ourselves, she was on a well deserved and overdue holiday.

Having reached Chamonix, we took our first trip into the mountains. We boarded the vernacular train in the town centre were we headed up along the slopes, through the trees and exposed sections, giving you a very clear indication that you were steadily climbing higher and higher. Once at the top  and off the train, it was a walking decent and some 400 steps literally into a glacier. Seeing this river of ice stretch some five k´s before disappearing around and further up the mountain, we head down to where it lay on the exposed valley floor. The good folk here kindly carved a cave in which you can enter and walk along the interior of this massive lump of ice.

Snow cover trails and glacial caves to explore

Cold but well lit in ever changing colors, you get up close and personal with the tail end of the glacier. Receding like many other glaciers around the world, it would be a real shame to see this natural wonder disappear. An experience like no other and one to remember.
Our trip back down the mountain was just as good. Hiking clears the mind and gives you time to ponder life while staying focused on the track ahead. But its hard to imagine that this is but a minute part of  huge mountain range that spans several countries, and at that they are nothing in height compared to the Nepalese mountains. Still, it´s nice to be amongst the wilderness, high above the world, away from it all for a while. Traversing some large snow drift left over from winter, you can imagine how cold it must get. Even now at the peaks, the temperature lingers around minus 12. No chance of a complete thaw here then.

From above the glacier down to the entry point

I would say that resort such as Chamonix  are probably more popular in the warmer months than the colder ones. The abundant amount of ski lifts, cable cars, and small trains that traverse these wonders, make it so accessible for everyone, young and old. Trail running seems to be a very popular sport, as is mountain biking and hiking. Rock climbing also has its place in the more exposed areas.

Now six weeks into our trip, I don´t need to remind myself how lucky we are to be experiencing this. Looking up from the balcony of Karens apartment I see three levels to every peak. The lower pine tree covered areas that act as a snow break in winter, the higher tree line that fades, giving way to exposed rock and steep inclines, then there are the snow covered peaks with their glaciers slowly creeping down through the valley between peaks.

So here in Chamonix at the base of Mt Blanc, when the clouds clear and you look skyward, you will be feasting you eyes on one of the tallest peaks in Europe at over 4800 metres. But don´t let that distract you from the numerous other peaks that compete with this marvel. Contemplate, meditate, appreciate, but don´t underestimate the power something so silent can have over you. You could spend a lifetime in a region like this and probably never climb or traverse every section. Not only due to the fact that glaciers stand in your path and are pretty much impassable, but there is so much to explore.