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squiz Member Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3072 |
4th October 2015 Hiking - Walking: Clos de la Balme(1230m) to Combeauvieux(1795m) Wind Direction: Wind Stength: Surf / Sea State: Air Temperature: Sea Temperature: Weather: sunny Max Speed: Distance Covered: 5.5 miles (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise) Sunday 4th October – See town life early then hike ***** sunny – Clos de la Balme(1230m) to Combeauvieux(1795m) – 5.5 miles, 5.5 hrs out :) The water in the little stream was raging below our heads all night but we did sleep. Woke up to low cloud but quickly walked over to the supposed balloons launching space which is the Luge area in the winter. There was a few people milling around including the balloonists but nothing happening so after a walk up the slopes we walked back to the van for breakfast and I even snuck a sneaky shower in the tennis club toilet and shower block! It looked like a public loo and when I discovered the hot shower I couldn’t resist. Mag chickened out as she thought someone was bound to come and tell her off! Packed the van up then walked up into town for a loaf and some fig bread for a treat later. It was quite busy up there with people in the café’s and we had a look round the car boot sale where they were selling the usual plus skis for 15 euros a pair but nothing we needed unfortunately:( There was also a Sunday market. Back to the van to drive up to Correncon en Vercors which we thought would be our best bet for a hike as the weather had cleared out leaving a nice sunny day. On the way up we were pleased to see 10 balloons rising in the valley:) We think they had probably launched from somewhere else because there was still low cloud down in Villard de Lans. Parked alongside the car park and made our packed lunch then set off on a really steep hike to Combeauvieux. It was marked as taking an hour and a half and despite it being a 500m climb through the woods and rocky terrain we actually did it in that time! It turned out to be the top of the old lift (still in use) complete with derelict restaurant! Apart from that , the view was stunning and after walking down a little bit to find a good spot we ate our lunch. Decided to walk back down the pistes but as usual we were distracted and headed up again following a walking sign to the col. We changed our minds after a while and went down what ended up being the black Rhondo run! The top was ok but it soon turned into a rocky steep path. The rocks were amazing, smooth but with weird slotted holes in them. It took us some time to get over this part of the path and we stopped for our banana and chocolate at the bottom! There were signs of marmotte’s up here but we didn’t see any. Carried on down the runs until we got to the top of the brand spanky new lift out of Correncon. It is called the Clot de le Balme and has 6 man seats and cable cars too- All on the same cables! Very swish and they have spent a fortune on not only that but all the cabins, restaurants and pistes/paths leading to and from it. There were also two new drag lifts up there. We carried on down, all the way to the bottom of the black Rhondo using the skiing method of zigzagging to make it a bit easier on the knees!! We got back to the van knackered, had been out 5 ½ hours and done 5 ½ miles. We really enjoyed it and it is a great place. We definitely want to come back and ski it in the Spring. We are staying here tonight so made a cuppa and had the wonderful fig bread. All the ponies from the Equitation centre near the lift came trotting past on their way home to their main stable for the night. Only 4 riders, but about 10 ponies. The ones without riders were really loving trotting along free and kept stopping for some grass :) After we had our tea it started to rain again! Photo Gallery Here Monday 5th October – sightsee – cloudy with showers :( - stroll around Pont-en-Royans. We had a relaxing start with exercises and breakfast outside. Packed up and left our quiet spot heading for Lans en Vercors which is another tiny ski resort nearer to Grenoble. We were nearly tempted to do a hike up to the Pic St. Michael but decided not to which was as well because it started to rain shortly afterwards! Moved on to another ski resort which we could see across the valley – Meaudre. They are both small but look like a bit of fun for a couple of days –especially the snow shoeing. Went back towards Villard hoping to go along the Gorges de la Bourne but there was a huge diversion and we ended up travelling through the forest we stayed in the other night at Chateaux St. Julien. We stopped at the Calv de Valchevrie belvedere again but this time decided to go down to the actual ruined village which is a continuation of the monument to the resistance at the top. The tiny hamlet was losing its inhabitants because of the lack of land to grow crops when they planted all the fir trees which now form part of the forest and when they built the road through the gorges it meant the young families moved to more accessible towns. The Resistance took over the houses in WW2 to train their fighters but the Germans found them and set fire to the whole village. The ruins that remain are in a really peaceful place and the small chapel still remains (or has been rebuilt – not sure). Carried on round the diversion and came out near St. Julien en Vercors. Managed to get to see some of the gorge and men abseiling down the cliffs drilling holes to fix the thick wire nets which stop huge rocks falling onto the road. Retraced our route and arrived in Le Balme de Rencurel which then led to the lower reaches of the gorge. We stopped in a tiny lay by along the walled road really high in the cliffs above the river. We were just before a huge lump of rock hanging over the road. Very spectacular. On to follow the steep road up to the Grottes de Choranche but we didn’t go in. Finally arrived at Pont en Rayons, which is going to be our overnight stop. A small town built onto the side of the gorge with famously ‘suspended Maisons’ which hang over the river precariously with very dodgy looking wooden balconies! There is also a bridge carved out of the rock over the gorge. We walked along the river, over the bridge and up ancient steps up to the top of the town. Down and back to walk along the river which is very fast flowing when it leaves the town past the hydro station outlet! We saw dippers, little grebes and kingfisher as well as lots of ‘surfing’ ducks! The river looked like it was steaming and we didn’t know whether it was low cloud or actual steam from hot water leaving the hydro station! We walked as far as the deserted camp site then back to the van for tea. We went for a quick wal round the town when it got dark in case the suspended houses were lit up but despite lots of spot lights none were on:( |
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