Loving it in all weathers - Part 2

At time of writing, I am sat in the kitchen of the chalet just outside the Vanoise National Park. It is 6:45pm, and going outside is currently not a wise idea: the rain, mist, thunder and lightning are encroaching, and stepping only a couple of feet outside of the chalet will make me drenched to the bone.

I have already been saturated today: this current downpour began this afternoon, when I was venturing back up to the National Park at Rosuel. There was mist and rain, and I guess you could call it bleak.

But the landscape looked amazing. Inverted cloud and mist sat beneath needle-like mountain tops, making the latter look even higher and more menacing. White glacier intermingles with grey cloud, and the waterfalls appeared to fall out of the heavens and into the abyss. Absolutely tremendous stuff.

It is funny how the weather can change your views, and in some cases even improve them. Yet another reminder that places are worth exploring in all weathers.

Notre Dame des Vernettes

A great walk with a difference

START: Nancroix
FINISH: Nancroix
APPROX DISTANCE: 2 miles
APPROX TIME: 1 hour 45 minutes

Having said what I did in my previous post, there are still some remnants of settlement in this valley, and sometimes they offer great viewpoints as well as brilliant places to visit in and of themselves. This is one such example: a lovely chapel which goes by the name of Notre Dame des Vernettes.

Introduction to the Vanoise National Park

Today, I arrived in the village of Nancroix just outside the Vanoise National Park, having driven several hundred miles from the Lac de Serre Ponçon. The journey itself was remarkable: we passed the spectacular Fort Exilles during our foray into the Italian Alps; we travelled the full length of the awe-inspiring Lac de Mont-Cennis with its spectacular glacier scenery; and we reached the lofty heights of the Col de l'Izeran, which at 2770 metres is the highest mountain pass in europe which allows you to take your Renault or your Volvo over.

The Col de l'Izeran

It was, truth be told, a bit of an epic, and shows just how vast the Alps are and how much left there is to discover.

The valley I have found myself in, meanwhile, is itself beautiful. The valley of the Ponteuran river is what you could call the last bastion of wilderness in the area: while the wilds of the Vanoise National Park can be found at the head of the valley, travel in the other direction and you will find yourself swamped by ski slopes and other traits of urban life creeping into the countryside.

In the valley itself, the wilderness survives: just from my chalet I can see forests, rolling hillsides, craggy peaks, tremendous waterfalls and wonderful glacier, with hints of lakes in some of the higher corries. The great alpine bird of prey the lamaguire (also known as the bearded vulture) are said to roost in the highest peaks. This is wild territory, and no mistake.

One of the many waterfalls to be found in this valley

Over the next six days i will be sharing with you the best this valley has to offer.

Enjoy!