Our group shrank by two as Deborah and Patrick separated and drove to Switzerland in search of waterfalls and K-drama locations.

Chamonix

We checked out of the smelly hotel and moved into the cheery one down the block. Bienvenu! Time to paint the town red. Or some shade of subdued color.

Chamonix

Group photo with the Olympics logo of five interlocking rings that represents the five continents and the colors of blue, yellow, black, green, and red were chosen because at least one of these colors were on the flags of every known country in 1913 when it was designed. The first Winter Olympics were also held in this city in 1924.

Yumidori

Lunch at the restaurant founded by a chef who is a three-time sushi vice champion. Whatever that is. It’s an annual competition amongst non-Japanese sushi chefs judged by Japanese.

Chamonix

We had our TMB shirts, gaiters and other souvenirs but not the raison d’être for being here, so we boarded the bus to find it.

Les Houches

Group photo at the famous archway that is the “official” start and end of the TMB trail.

Les Houches

Individual photos under the wooden archway.

Les Houches

Monkey see, monkey do.

Church of St. John the Baptist

Keeping the sinners locked inside. The holy water was boiling.

Church of St. John the Baptist

Repent and pray harder.

Lac des Gaillands

We took the bus back and hopped off at the nearby artificial lake that was created at the beginning of the 20th century when the excavations for a nearby railroad line left a huge hole. Just add water.

Lac des Gaillands

No swimming allowed. Stumping permitted.

Lac des Gaillands

Group photo with the cloud cloaked Mount Blanc in the background.

Ruines du lac Sinclair

We crossed the road to explore the “ruins” we had sighted from the lake.

Ruines du lac Sinclair

Looking out from the “cave” across Lac Sinclair where Chico and Ferlino stood on the other side.

Ruines du lac Sinclair

Turns out these so-called “ruins” were actually the remains of a amusement or tourist park built by Lord Sinclair in 1886.

Mont Blanc

Looking up at the 15,766′ mountain that lays claim to being the highest peak in Europe and whose ownership is contested between France and Italy.

Hotel des Lacs

We stopped at this budget friendly hotel that has been welcoming tourists since 1930 to have ice cream from Australia.

Chamonix

Imitating the pedestrian stick figure that was first designed in 1961 by German traffic psychologist Karl Peglau to be more intuitive than symbols.

Aux Petits Gourmands

We popped into this bakery saloon to have Soupe à l’oignon and chocolate pastries, while the others shopped for souvenirs.

Hotel Lyret

Back in our hotel rooms for a spell, never understood why European showers have only half-screens. I read it’s because to save costs, easier to clean, space constraints and assuming that users can direct water where needed.

Casa Valerio

We had dinner at the nearby Italian restaurant and some had gelato in a cone for dessert on the streets of Chamonix.

Wednesday September 10, 2025

Hotel Lyret

Checked out of our nice smelling and friendly hotel as we spent the last day in France.

Hotel Lyret

Lionel, our guide for today, picked the four of us up from the hotel with our rented helmets and harnesses. The rest would take a bus to Geneva. We would join them later.

La Flegere

Deja vu. We found ourselves back at the mountain resort that marked the end of our TMB trek two days ago.

Via des Evettes

The start of our via ferrata or iron path.

Via des Evettes

Walking down past the chair lift and mountain hut with stunning views of the Alps in front of us.

Via des Evettes

Stepping down.

Via des Evettes

Traversing over a short scree field.

Via des Evettes

Going up the trail with the Mont Blanc massif mountain range behind us.

Via des Evettes

Time to put our rental equipment to good use.

Via des Evettes

Following the cabled path on the first via ferrata created in Chamonix in 2016.

Via des Evettes

Scrambling over protruding rocks.

Via des Evettes

The lanyards were somewhat of a hindrance on some parts, so I didn’t use them going up the Jardin a Michel section. Not recommended.

Via des Evettes

Chico clipped in and properly using the shock absorbing lanyards.

Via des Evettes

The Compagnie des Guides rated the Via Ferrata des Evettes as 2 out of 5 for difficulty.

Via des Evettes

Some of the vertical sections were surprisingly somewhat taxing, especially when you had to wait your turn to ascend and you were just hanging on these metal rungs on the side of a cliff.

Via des Evettes

Follow me. Easy peasy.

Via des Evettes

The rest of us crossing on the first suspension bridge, Pont des Chamois, which was roughly 20′ long. A taste of what was to come later.

Via des Evettes

Squeezing our way though the Boite aux lettres.

Via des Evettes

Climbing up and over a ridge.

Via des Evettes

Robin roped in.

Via des Evettes

Not quite an overhang, but close enough for our purposes today.

Via des Evettes

Making our way up the near vertical Deidre a Lolo section. I didn’t know they speak pidgin in France.

Via des Evettes

Looking down at the rest of the group climbing up, where is our rope?

Via des Evettes

Chico climbing out of the clouds.

Via des Evettes

You can do it. Look at me. I’m going backwards. Bouncing up and down. You can do it.

Via des Evettes

The face of determination or something close to it.

Via des Evettes

Balancing my way across the 164′ long Himalayan bridge.

Via des Evettes

One foot in front of the other foot. Repeat until the end.

Via des Evettes

Chico high above the valley floor.

Via des Evettes

Highlight of the day for Chico.

Via des Evettes

Ferlino bouncing on the suspension bridge.

Via des Evettes

We are done, time to shed the helmets and harnesses. Just got to hike back to La Flegere and beat the rain.

Via des Evettes

Following the posts and painted rocks to the cable car station.

Via des Evettes

Chico and Ferlino making their way down through the boulder field.

Via des Evettes

Walking down in the soupy mess of weather.

Via des Evettes

The end of our fun today. Lionel drove us back to Sanglard Sports to return our rental equipment and we tipped him for his time and trouble.

Chamonix

Sitting in a vintage gondola car circa 1920s.

Cool Cats

We had lunch at this highly recommended place that served gourmet hot dogs. More like a hot mess. I guess I’m more of a Costco hot dog kind of guy. We then walked back to our hotel and picked up our luggage and waited at the bus stop for our ride to Geneva. What looked like a homeless French person approached us and struck up a conversation with us and turns out he was waiting for his Chinese side piece who soon got off another bus. They then provided bi-lingual drama entertainment by yelling at each other in public, actually the woman was the active participant and the man was the passive participant. Robin, Chico and myself soon boarded the bus while Ferlino got lucky and took an earlier bus. We arrived in the town of Geneva where the bus dropped off the passengers at the first stop and was leaving for our destination, the airport. When the mad hatter woke up and ran up and down the aisle “I fell asleep! I need to get off! Stop the bus! Sorry!” We got off at the airport and was going to foolishly walk to our hotel when a well-placed call saved us and we took the shuttle and checked in.

Geneva

Meanwhile, Aida, Mari and Roger had arrived in the city that started as a Roman settlement in 58 B.C.. The group checked in, had their lunch and started their city tour. Walking city tour.

Jet d’Eau

Mari with the landmark water fountain that jets water up to 490′ high. Depending on the spot and wind direction, one may get slightly drenched.

L’Horloge Fleurie

The flower clock that was created in 1955 as a homage to the city’s watchmakers that is made up of 6,500 flowers and plants as the Geneva Ferris Wheel rotated in the background.

Rues Basses

Walking through the commercial heart of Geneva.

Bourg-de-Four

Passing through a Chapelle in the cobblestone square in the old town of Geneva.

Saint Pierre Cathedral

Exploring the historic church that was built on an ancient site of worship in 1160 and has been modified multiple times as it transitioned from Catholic to Calvinist faiths.

L’ancien arsenal

Three canons standing guard outside the 15th century armory.

Promenade de la Treille

Built in 1767 and measuring 413 feet long, this panoramic seat lays claim to being the world’s longest wooden bench. No rest for the weary.

Restaurant au Carnivore

Shall we eat here?

Reformation Wall

The monument located in the University of Geneva has four statues of men that were key proponents of Calvinism, the faith that believes God has predestined people who will be saved, rather than the Catholic Church who believes salvation lies in faith and good works.

Geneva

City sightseeing.

Promenade des Bastions

“To get squares, you have to give up squares.” – Bobby Fischer.

Place de Longemalle

Satisfying the sweet tooth.

Meat ‘ic Fish

Our last dinner in Europe where we dined on steak, had dessert prepared at our table and got charged roughly 30 dollars for 3 liters of water. Sacre bleu! At least, I brought my own drink. Saved some euros.

Thursday September 11, 2025

B&B Hotel

We checked out early to catch the airport shuttle, as Ferlino and Robin went their separate ways to go back home.

Geneva

The flights back home were three connecting flights from Geneva to London, London to San Francisco and San Francisco to Honolulu. 18 hours total.

Home Sweet Home

That concluded our European trip which was filled with awesome adventures, spectacular sightseeing, wonderful memories and in the company of good friends. Mahalo!

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Robin Farr, Roger Schiffman, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

It was that time for an overseas trip that was long in the planning and short on the execution. Some of us had eighteen hour connecting flights and others shorter due to their proximity to the destination.

Transit

Collectively we all met up in the Swiss city of Geneva that started off as an Roman settlement and bused ourselves to one of the oldest ski resorts in France.

France

Watching waterfalls cascading down the alpine landscape on our roughly one hour bus ride.

Hotel Sweet Hotel

The bus dropped us off at a stop in town and we dragged our suitcases down the cobblestone and asphalt roads to our pink hotel that started off as an 18th century mill. We checked in and were greeted with “Put your luggage in the dining room” and “Use the bathroom up the street.” What happened to bonjour? Ahh yes, the famous hospitality of the French that I’ve heard so much about.

Chamonix

We left the gracious hospitality and decided to explore the town. Everybody was accounted for with the exception of Robin who would be joining us later.

Casino de Chamonix

The gambling establishment in the middle of town started off as the Royal Hotel built in 1848, and hosted Napoleon III in 1860 as he was touring the territory that was just annexed from the Kingdom of Sardinia. We looked around but didn’t drop any euros as we had already spent enough on the trip.

McDonald’s

“You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Chamonix?
“They don’t call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?”
“No, they got the metric system there, they wouldn’t know what the putain a Quarter Pounder is.”
“What’d they call it?”
“Royal Deluxe.”
*Conversation updated as it’s somewhat dated, over 30 years old.

Chamonix

Dessert before lunch?

Chamonix

Bonjour, j’ai besoin d’aller aux toilettes. Go up the street.

Rose du Pont

We had lunch at the restaurant next to the Arve river that was being fed by the melting glaciers and experienced another dose of that famous French hospitality.

Chamonix

A day late and a euro short and you’re going the wrong way. Tom Evans was the finisher of the 174 km (108 miles) Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc race in 19 hours 18 minutes and 58 seconds. We also met one of the finishers who took 45 hours and change to complete the grueling trek, he said he was hallucinating at some parts of the race.

Paroisse Saint Bernard du Mont-Blanc

We visited the Catholic Church dedicated to Saint Bernard, the patron saint of the Alps.

Chamonix

Groot wasn’t here to mark his territory, so Chico did it for him.

Chamonix

We sampled the local gelato at Chamon’ice as our first choice had too many non-flying winged insects and that famous French hospitality.

Chamonix

Life imitating art. Chico and Ferlino mimicking the poses of Jacques Balmat and Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, Balmat was the first person to climb Mont Blanc in 1786 and Saussure financed the expedition.

Chamonix

It’s not the Pont des Arts, but the splash of colorful flowers more than made up for it. We all soon retired to our respective hotels where some of us slept through the rainy night, others had seafood and burgers for dinner. No Deluxe Royal? Sacre bleu!

Tuesday September 2, 2025

Hotel Vallee Blanche

Our second day in France where we woke up and ate what was seemingly the standard breakfast fare in Europe – bread, cheese and cured meat. A far cry from Portugese sausage, eggs and rice.

Hotel Lyret

The group met up at the hotel that was more pleasing to the nasal passages, where Aida and Robin were engaged in the game that can trace its origins to India.

Chemin de fer du Montenvers

We took a short walk to the nearby rack railway line to visit the valley glacier. While we waited for the train, we checked out the impressive nearby vegetable garden.

Chemin de fer du Montenvers

All aboard the cog train ride that took roughly 20 minutes and gained over 1,000 meters in elevation to the Montenvers station.

Mer De Glace

Group photo nearby the Montenvers Refuge that was built in 1880 for mountaineers and visitors to explore the Alps.

Mer De Glace

Overlooking the sea of ice, which is the second largest glacier in the Alps.

Mer De Glace

We took the gondola down to the lift stop and descended down the 580 or 170 steps to the ice cave.

Grotte De Glace

Chico tasting the ancient ice, which some of the sections date back to over 12,000 years. No chlorination here.

Grotte De Glace

Aida preferred a more hands on approach to the ancient ice.

Grotte De Glace

This is a larger than life ice statue of the Le Tardigrade which are .5mm long eight-legged micro-animals known colloquially as water bears, moss piglets and slow walkers. They inhabit mountains, oceans, rainforests and glacier ice. Who made the right choice now?

Grotte De Glace

Walking around the artificial ice cave that was first dug out of the Lower Grindelwald Glacier in 1862 to attract tourists to the area. A decade later, it was moved to the Bossons Glacier. From 1946, the ice cave has been annually dug out in its current location.

Grotte De Glace

Group photo in one of the smaller rooms in the cave.

Grotte De Glace

If this is an ice bar, where are the alcoholic drinks? Tell me, they at least have bottles of Coca-Cola!

Mer De Glace

Walking up the ever expanding steps to the gondola that would take us back to our red train. The glacier has lost over 520 feet depth in the last 35 years due to climate change that will drastically affect the ecosystem if continued unchecked.

Mer De Glace

Riding our way back down to the town of Chamonix.

Chamonix

We wandered around the town square, armed with two recommendations from the hotel, on where to eat lunch.

Chamonix

Both were closed, what luck. So we settled on Satsuki, Japanese food for lunch. It’s not like we can get this at home. Sorry sir, enfant menu is for children only. Biologically and not mentally.

Chamonix

Walking around the town square with snow capped mountains in the background.

Chamonix

The group eating Italian gelato, the frozen dessert is different from ice cream in that it has less air and fat which makes it denser and smoother.

Cascade du Dard Trail

Deborah suggested a quick hike to a nearby waterfall to end the day.

Cascade du Dard Trail

Walking next to the river called Torrent des Favrands, known as the Tissourds.

Cascade du Dard Trail

The group crossing over a small footbridge.

Cascade du Dard Trail

Walking alongside European Route E25 that stretches from Holland to Italy.

Cascade du Dard Trail

The group making their way down to another bridge crossing after a short and stiff climb through the forest.

Cascade du Dard Trail

Making our way down to the waterfall fed by the Torrent du Dard.

Cascade du Dard

Solo shots with the picturesque 20-30′ meter high waterfall.

Cascade du Dard

Group photo in front of the largest waterfall in the Chamonix valley.

Buvette de la Cascade de Dard

Nobody grabbing an iced coffee on the way out?

Cascade du Dard Trail

Ferlino balancing on the bridge and failing to have three points of contact. Somebody call Inspection du travail.

La Caleche

We made it back to the hotel with ten minutes to spare for our six o’clock meeting with our guide, Sylvia Frappier. The theme of the meeting was “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” She gave us sleeping bag liners and towels after the company told us we had to bring them ourselves. The biggest issue was that they would provide the hiking poles. Non. In the end, she found us rental poles and somebody got their Black Diamond poles that they had been wishing for. We met later for a paid dinner at the restaurant specializing in alpine cuisine and retired to our rooms to start our TMB trek tomorrow.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Deborah Tom, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Patrick Tom, Robin Farr, Roger Schiffman, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.