Dwight Peck's personal website

Some snow-poor February hikes

Our winters are nothing like what they once were.

December's early snows got our hopes up, only to have them cruelly dashed in January. February didn't help at all. (We blame ex-President Bush.)

You may not find this terribly rewarding unless you're included here, so this is a good time for casual and random browsers to turn back before they get too caught up in the sweep and majesty of the proceedings and can't let go.

Le Crot, 26 February 2011

We've been in Italy for some weeks and came back full of Grand Hopes for the winter. Bosh. This is the Route des Montagnes above our village of Bassins, and we're out to burn off a few calories in an idle moment.

Kristin's striding manfully, or forcefully, up a little unmarked trail under the cliffs of Le Planey

Through the forest and out near the road to Perroude du Vaud

Kristin and our last line of defense from the French tanks (should they ever come)

Back past the farm mid-18th century farm of Le Crot

Les Monts de Bière, 28 February

Suiting up at the Col du Marchairuz, 1447m, in slushy weather

We're setting off from the Col du Marchairuz, looking for better snow.

The first kilometre of the Chemin des Crêtes from the hotel at Marchairuz is always well packed down -- mostly by citydwellers working up a little appetite for lunch at the hotel.

It's good to be out and about. Burning off calories, etc.

The sign says "Thanks for not bathing your dog in the trough".

The farm of Mont de Bière Derrière (1481m)

We tuck in here for a brief respite from the wind.

-- Where's my lunch?

-- Lunch is coming right up.

Lunch is over.

Some real snow. We're plowing our way up the main Mont de Bière.

It's like coming home again.

We're looking for an unmarked path that leads off between the two Monts de Bière, and maybe Kristin's found it.

We suspend judgment; she may be right, after all.

-- But I was so sure.

Closer to Marchairuz again, and a well-tracked path

With a few clever shortcuts

And back to our waiting VW, called Dieter.

La Côte de Bière, 12 March

We've been off visiting scenic Strasbourg for a while, and on our return, even less snow.

And no need for our faithful snowshoes

Forestry barely pays for itself here, but they persist.

It's time to get the bicycles serviced for the summer season.

Bois de la Bassine, 14 March 2011

Kristin commiserates about the way the Earth's climate is going these days.

We won't throw the snowshoes away in a pique. Next year will be better.

The farm of La Bassine, makers of amazing cheeses with piment, ail, oignons, you name it.

La Bassine farm

Les Coppettes, 15 March 2011

We were headed for Le Noirmont (on the horizon) but overslept. No snowshoes today, either.

Not that we couldn't have used our snowshoes from time to time.
But definitely, the Republicans have won this round.

'Tween-Seasons walking is good, too.

La Dôle up on the horizon, with the Pointe de Poêle Chaud on the left.

The farm of Les Coppettes with the Noirmont on the horizon

We're seeking out new and innovative ways back to Dieter the VW.

Ancient stone walls in the forest

Kristin's off tomorrow to sort things out in the USA again, but we'll carry on here.

Feedback and suggestions are welcome if positive, resented if negative, . All rights reserved, all wrongs avenged. Posted 24 March 2011, revised 6 September 2014.

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