Well, we are on our way.
The road to Rome has officially – unofficially started in Chamonix, France. Why Chamonix? Well, we are starting our official Via Francigena pilgrim walk in Lausanne, Switzerland, and we didn’t want to take the trip from Spain to Lausanne all in one day. Oh, and plus, it’s freakin Chamonix. If there is anywhere on the planet that screams ‘Grael’ it’s Chamonix. This place is pure mountain splendor.
We decided that a couple days in Chamonix to do some high elevation training would be a good thing to get our legs and lungs back in mountain shape as we are about to pack up the Alps into Italy. So, we hiked. Took a couple of the quick express trains to other areas in the valley to explore, took a couple of the gondolas up to the higher places to catch trails, and we sat in awe of the views and vistas. This place is simply not real and pictures can’t possibly do it justice. Total mountain porn.
Some mostly useless observations on Chamonix:
You can do anything you want here. Biking is epic. Climbing and base jumping is available. Paragliders are everywhere. It’s the home of Mont Blanc, and is one of the main points on the Tour du Mont Blanc – a multi-day hike that takes you around the mountain and to points in Italy, Switzerland, and France. Needless to say, that one is now on the top of Lael’s to-do list.
Dirtbags are everywhere, and I mean that with all best intentions. See, where we come from, the term Dirtbag is a term of affection and has a very different meaning. These are the people who dedicate their lives to their chosen outdoor passion, leaving everything else, including basic hygiene, to the people who can’t do what they do nearly as well as they can. You know some of them, maybe. It’s the guy that has a $10,000 bike strapped to a $400 car. It’s the girl who lives in a tent, but has $10,000 worth of climbing gear. Here, it’s the guy who looks (and smells) definitely homeless but has at least $5,000 worth of Arc’teryx clothing on. These are the climbers, skiers, riders, and adventurers of all kinds who live their passion. And Chamonix is definitely where they can be…and are.
France just does some shit better. One of the best aspects of living the outdoor adventure life is what is available, both physically and emotionally, after your day is done. Yeah, I’m talking food and drink. See, when you burn 3000 calories a day, who gives a shit what you eat and drink. Coffee. Croissant. Beer. Pizza. Sandwiches. Pastry. And so much more. It’s all available to you. In fact, there is science that backs up that you need to eat more calorie and fat, and more that says adventure athletes metabolize beer better. So, we’re just doing our jobs. Pizza and craft beer are best, but you can’t keep me from a Cotes de Provence Rosé when sitting in the mountain sun or a Cotes de Rhône in the evening. I mean, I am who I am.
Special shout out to Cool Cats for their Vegan Hummus Wrap and really good cookie, ChaChaCha for their wine selection, and the IPA at Big Mountain Chamonix.
Oh, and did I mention the mountain splendor? I can’t say it enough. This is simply one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Yeah, I’m partial to mountains, so don’t yell about your ocean pics, rain forests, or anything else. Mountains have a unique way of making you feel incredibly small and insignificant. It’s marvelous and humbling all at the same time.
We’re off to Switzerland to officially start our Via Francigena, a 2-month hiking journey to Rome, but I guarantee we’ll be back to Chamonix, probably quite soon.
Cheers.
As a reminder, I am not a travel blogger, so you get what you pay for with these.
Click here to read our I Fucking Hate Travel Blogging Disclaimer
