Page 28 - 2009 AMA Winter

2665m, it proved a tough leg with rocks to be scrambled over and shingle to be fought through. This tough terrain was not easily discernable on the map.
It was a tired group that reached the top, but one rewarded with spectacular views of the Trient Glacier. On the somewhat kinder decent Damo’s knee finally let him down and he had to hobble in – a shadow of his previous mountain goat like self.
Day 10 – Relais du Mont Blanc to Auberge La Boerne (France)
Setting off in the rain, it soon became apparent to all but Damo - who was leader that day - that we had deviated from the planned route! A ‘benevolent’ slope became a steep slog, and the ‘small copse of trees’ ended up being a dense forest. When the penny finally dropped it was with some relief that Damo realised that this trail ended up at the same destination. This was quite fortuitous as, had it not, Damo’s life expectancy would have been slim – especially where Big Tom was concerned!
After negotiating a herd of cows that seemed determined to follow us all the way to Chamonix we climbed again to 2201m where we sat to watch the fascinating spectacle of clouds forming. It was a peaceful experience and we all felt we could have stayed there for hours. Tearing ourselves away we continued to the refuge.
Upon reaching the accommodation we broke off to bathe our feet in the ice cold river running next-door – immensely plea- surable, instant relief for tired feet and high- ly recommended! The accommodation
turned out to be the most bizarre and yet fascinating so far; in the words of Grudge – “a ship below decks”, with beds seemly crammed into every conceivable space!
Day 11 - Auberge La Boerne to Chamonix
Our last days walking, and what a long one! At this point in the trek we thought we had seen it all. The TMB however had other ideas and the surprise of a series of ladders to negotiate. Rather than go miles around the rocks, metal ladders had been secured into the to allow you to climb up to rock face. A fireman running upstairs to rescue a baby from a burning building could not have matched the speed that one vertigo stricken member of our party got up those ladders!
Once at the top we passed several working cable cars – which took a feat of willpower as each car descended to Chamonix, our destination. One by one we began to run out of water, and as it turned out, all the refuges were closed for refurbishment and there would be no water to be found any- where along the route until we reached Chamonix.
Before beginning our final decent to Chamonix we climbed to the summit of Le Brevant (2525m) shrouded in mist. Gathering together we all shook hands on a job well done and a rare break in the clouds allowed time for a quick commem- orative group photo before beginning what was to be the longest, slowest decent of the whole tour, down to the town of Chamonix.
Day 12 – Chamonix
Another exam awaited us in the morning which all passed. This meant that we were all officially SMP qualified and more impor- tantly had earned a day’s RnR! After 12 hard days there was some respite in the form of some RnR in Chamonix. Ben and Ernie decided to ride the cable car up to the summit of Aiguille du Midi – a height of some 3842m, 1000m above anything we had done so far. So high were they that they were able to look down on yesterday’s route!
Damo and Chris, both realising there clothes were showing severe signs of the journey - and thereby resembling tramps – found Chamonix’s only cheap shop and for the sum of €15 got themselves kitted out top to toe! You have never seen two more chuffed people in your lives! Of course, some local beers were sampled in the name of culture, whilst the Boss – finally succumbing to the strain of having to look after us for two weeks - got his head down. Wherever we ended up, all our thoughts were in the mountains, as we all relived the last twelve days. We had now gone full cir- cle and bid farewell to the Alps.
Day 13 – Journey Home
The transport arrived and we all boarded for the journey to Geneva Airport – Damo and Chris looking smug in their new gear! We had now gone full circle. We bid farewell to the Alps and ‘Frenchy’ god bless him.
The Dream and Tour of Mont Blanc was over.
26 ARMY MOUNTAINEER