Today I dressed up pretty with an ironed white shirt and my red linen skirt, and my black and white open toe shoes, to celebrate summer. The weather was nice and I was starting late so had enough time to pamper myself. I hesitated to put my liberty tie on but I figured I would be too dressed up for work and everyone would be in their jeans anyway.
I had an awful day but I managed to finish everything I had to do. I thought about going out to hear the bands playing all around town, since it is the music festival (fete de la musique), but I longed the comfort of my room. Besides, I could just sing out my frustration, now that I have a proper stand to put my lyrics, and a karaoke microphone to sing into!
My terrace is blooming with sunflowers, lavender and tomato flowers, my laundry is washing, and I sing for myself the foreign songs that express my tiredness: tomorrow is Friday!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Let's hike! My survival trip to 2000m
And so I woke up excited to start my first ever hiking trip. I bought comfortable shoes that cost me a kidney and 2h deciding, a 22L backpack that has back ventilation, middle pocket and more, lots of hiking pants, and a walking stick. For sure they were not only for this day, but also for future hikes and the trip in September. I even got a 2L camel bag.
A&S picked me off at 7:45am on a beautiful cloudless morning. We then picked up Lily as well an drove to France towards Bernex. In the car we talked about fainting, accidents, first aids and many more scary things. We could see our destination from afar: la Dent d'Oche. Although I was anxious, I brought enough to survive in case I decided to get lost: Swiss knife, 6 cereal bars, 2L water in the camel bag, first aid kit, a dynamo torch lamp, my fully charged mobile, an apple, 2 packs of tissues, my VT fleece jacket, a change of pants (one of the hikers pants), and a walking stick. I was probably missing the emergency flares....
Two other couples joined us and I had to relieve myself on the parking lot before starting on the path that was more has 20% sloped upward with rocks. They warned me the first part was difficult. I huffed and puffed and used my old lady cane as best I could, stopping every so often but advancing nonetheless. The boys were having a chat while walking behind me, while I was struggling and focusing on where to put my foot next.
After the rocky slopes under the shades of pin trees, we finally emerged onto a valley between 2 beautiful green sloped mountains, where cuddly cows were ringing their bells merrily and refreshing my numbed mind.
We had to go through electrified fences, more rocky paths to finally get to a water point, almost 1h30 after our start from the parking lot. The water was so fresh I washed my head until I got a brain freeze. We had climbed about 400m and it was decision time for the group: go straight for the peak and eat there or go for the lake, have a meal and split there.
So we went for the meal first, and 2h later we were eating at about 500m from where we started.
During the meal, I reasoned that I would also try for the peak since I've been thus far, and also because there would not be another opportunity to go for it: just thinking back at the huffing and puffing would surely not motivate me to come back!
So after a short lunch break where everyone took off their shoes to asphyxiate innocent mountain fauna an flora, we were back on our feet, and climbing hard for the other 500m. We met many other trekkers running down the mountain after seeing the top, and encouraging me. It was more difficult since I wasn't as fresh, and although i coul manage my breath, I was afraid my legs would give in. But I made it to the 2000m to see the lake and Montreux on one side, and the Alps and Mont Blanc on the other side, surrounded by cute mountain goats.
The peak was still out of reach but we soon headed for it, only to be told back by the boys that it was too dangerous and that even they would not go through. So we got back down the mountain disappointed, but also happy to go back and enjoy the walk down. Our enjoyment soon changed into pain as our toes were taking our weight in the downward slopes. At least there was no way of getting out of breath.
The guys came across the path to climb to the peak form another side and went for it. We ladies came down to the water point to rest and get refreshed before returning to the parking lot with the promise of ice cream. We eventually saw the guys giving signs on the peak and starting to walk down the mountain. So we left as well, arguing that they would catch up with us anyway. And sure enough when we got back to the pine forest, there they were!
We took an easier path down to the parking lot, and exchanging the trekking shoes for flip flop made it so worthwhile! Some hike for the view, some hike for the challenge of going to the top, and some hike to feel that relief of taking your shoes off...I hiked to test the equipment I bought at first, but also glad to have accomplished such a seemingly impossible task for me.
Relaxing around an ice cream cup each, they told me they were impressed I didn't give up because it was a difficult trek for a beginner. I was a bit vexed because the thought never crossed my mind. But it also reminded me how strong I can be despite my initial fears: if I take it slowly, catch up my breath and have enough water, I can do it.
We all yelled at A for tricking us into doing this hike, since she told us she did it with her mom. We also joked that the next days would be the most painful days...But the memory of the view is soothing enough...I might not have been to the 2100m top, but reaching 2000m after a 1000m altitude hike was my first hiking achievement.
I have started training and I will hike more...next month:P
I got home at 8pm, showered and crashed into a deep sleep.
A&S picked me off at 7:45am on a beautiful cloudless morning. We then picked up Lily as well an drove to France towards Bernex. In the car we talked about fainting, accidents, first aids and many more scary things. We could see our destination from afar: la Dent d'Oche. Although I was anxious, I brought enough to survive in case I decided to get lost: Swiss knife, 6 cereal bars, 2L water in the camel bag, first aid kit, a dynamo torch lamp, my fully charged mobile, an apple, 2 packs of tissues, my VT fleece jacket, a change of pants (one of the hikers pants), and a walking stick. I was probably missing the emergency flares....
Two other couples joined us and I had to relieve myself on the parking lot before starting on the path that was more has 20% sloped upward with rocks. They warned me the first part was difficult. I huffed and puffed and used my old lady cane as best I could, stopping every so often but advancing nonetheless. The boys were having a chat while walking behind me, while I was struggling and focusing on where to put my foot next.
After the rocky slopes under the shades of pin trees, we finally emerged onto a valley between 2 beautiful green sloped mountains, where cuddly cows were ringing their bells merrily and refreshing my numbed mind.
We had to go through electrified fences, more rocky paths to finally get to a water point, almost 1h30 after our start from the parking lot. The water was so fresh I washed my head until I got a brain freeze. We had climbed about 400m and it was decision time for the group: go straight for the peak and eat there or go for the lake, have a meal and split there.
So we went for the meal first, and 2h later we were eating at about 500m from where we started.
During the meal, I reasoned that I would also try for the peak since I've been thus far, and also because there would not be another opportunity to go for it: just thinking back at the huffing and puffing would surely not motivate me to come back!
So after a short lunch break where everyone took off their shoes to asphyxiate innocent mountain fauna an flora, we were back on our feet, and climbing hard for the other 500m. We met many other trekkers running down the mountain after seeing the top, and encouraging me. It was more difficult since I wasn't as fresh, and although i coul manage my breath, I was afraid my legs would give in. But I made it to the 2000m to see the lake and Montreux on one side, and the Alps and Mont Blanc on the other side, surrounded by cute mountain goats.
The peak was still out of reach but we soon headed for it, only to be told back by the boys that it was too dangerous and that even they would not go through. So we got back down the mountain disappointed, but also happy to go back and enjoy the walk down. Our enjoyment soon changed into pain as our toes were taking our weight in the downward slopes. At least there was no way of getting out of breath.
The guys came across the path to climb to the peak form another side and went for it. We ladies came down to the water point to rest and get refreshed before returning to the parking lot with the promise of ice cream. We eventually saw the guys giving signs on the peak and starting to walk down the mountain. So we left as well, arguing that they would catch up with us anyway. And sure enough when we got back to the pine forest, there they were!
We took an easier path down to the parking lot, and exchanging the trekking shoes for flip flop made it so worthwhile! Some hike for the view, some hike for the challenge of going to the top, and some hike to feel that relief of taking your shoes off...I hiked to test the equipment I bought at first, but also glad to have accomplished such a seemingly impossible task for me.
Relaxing around an ice cream cup each, they told me they were impressed I didn't give up because it was a difficult trek for a beginner. I was a bit vexed because the thought never crossed my mind. But it also reminded me how strong I can be despite my initial fears: if I take it slowly, catch up my breath and have enough water, I can do it.
We all yelled at A for tricking us into doing this hike, since she told us she did it with her mom. We also joked that the next days would be the most painful days...But the memory of the view is soothing enough...I might not have been to the 2100m top, but reaching 2000m after a 1000m altitude hike was my first hiking achievement.
I have started training and I will hike more...next month:P
I got home at 8pm, showered and crashed into a deep sleep.
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