Nightglow Window

Leukerbad To Chamonix

I was up early and out the door for a short solo walk in Leukerbad, retracing my steps from the trip in 2004. Then it was a brief scenic drive over the pass into France and the alpine wundertown of Chamonix. We didn't waste any time, hopping on to the Aiguille du Midi tram which deposited us, woozy with the elevation gain and vertiginous drops, up at 12,600 feet.

The views were awe inspiring, but lining the western horizon were angry thunderclouds, purple and black. We bid a hasty retreat and as we did laundry down in town, pulling the laundromat's wooden benches out onto the street for the cool air and views, clouds formed over the range and rumbles began. Be dinner time the whole valley was full of rain and wind and thunder, crashing down from the heights.



The walls of Leukerbad in the early morning light.



Leukerbad



Leukerbad



Leukerbad



Leukerbad



Leukerbad



Leukerbad



Leukerbad



In the quickly rising tram, heading toward the Aiguille du Midi.



There it is. The Téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi holds the record as the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, rising from from 1,035 m to 3,842 m.


The views and sudden altitude change make you feel dizzy.






The Grandes Jorasses.






Grandes Jorasses



The goat trail up Mont Blanc (click to supersize)



Feeling a little lightheaded from the sudden elevation gain and huge exposure. Wimp...



The way up Mont Blanc















Crazy hard rock route at the top of the Aguille du Midi at 12,600 feet.






Heading out to La Vallée Blanche






Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, rises 15,782 feet above sea level.



Chamonix, 9,000 feet below the station at Aiguliie du Midi.