Day 7 - Montmin - June 3

Today we started at Col de la Forclaz and did a loop through Le Vilard to the 7 fountains to Montmin and back to Col de la Forclaz mostly on paths through the fields.  9 km as the crow flies 13km for walkers. 500m climb up and descent and up again and descent again.

View from Col de la Forclaz

French alps charolaise cows with the traditional swiss bells around their necks.

One of the many streams of snow melt

7 Fountains shrine purported to cure eczema and all other inflammations. No need to drink it.

One of the many superb "Hills are alive..." moments. Stunning scenery everywhere you look.

The Col de la Forclaz de Montmin is a famous bike ride (and race) so there are a lot of bikes on the road. Some gliding effortlessly up the steep hills and others grinding away but you are never to old for it, it seems, as there were young and very old on their bikes. The people we are with are super fit. two ladies are 77 and doing the hard walks. The majority do the hard walks but we will stick to the easy ones (450-750m ascents and descents per day- they are the easy walks!). A large group are part of the Andalusian Walking Group. A lot of these people seem to travel the world walking. Only one has done the Camino but he is going back again to do the French route again and the other routes.

These is still snow on today’s planned walk so we are doing another one. Parker could have come! 29*C again today but 0% chance of rain. Annecy not so crowded now that the long weekend break is over.

The water in the lake is crystal clear and a lovely glacial green bit is is maybe 18-20* so nice for swimming. Everyone is out on it or walking or biking around. Very friendly French here (not like the Parisians) who encourage you to speak French and don’t laugh when you get it wrong.

The volunteer leaders have to have IML - International Mountaineer Leader qualification and they have to be bi-lingual but they prefer them to have three languages.  One of our guides - Pete - has climbed the highest peaks in 7 continents (including everest) and is one of their most experienced guides.  He is a soil scientist who retired at 39 to walk and explore full time. Very modest, nice guy.