Saturday 2 July 2011

Driving to Chamonix - Chaos in the Car Park

We met at Scotts in Guildford at 1900 hrs Friday night, packed up the VW van and set of for Calais. The Plan was to travel through the night, destination Chamonix. 2 days of Alpine climbing before getting the last plane back Monday night.

Scott drove through the night depending on "Relentless" to keep him fully charged and making the most of the clear roads, his chick (Nicola) keeping him company in the passengers seat. Tommy slept in the foot well and I was making good use of the bench seat. I don't recall the Euro tunnel or much of the journey spending most of it in and out of consciousness. Arriving in chamonix I must say my body felt beaten up from the 15 or so hours in the van.

On arriving we checked into our apartment and were directed to the car park!! We enter the tightest car park imaginable, driving around we can't find our space... we try and exit.... can't find the exit and when we do our swipe is not letting us out.... I reckon we where faffing around for over an hour trying to park the van!!!

We headed into town to buy a few bits, checked the weather and discussed our routes over dinner. We will be leaving the apartment around 0800 tomorrow and taking a long hike to the foot of the "Aiguille de Chardonnet" where we will bivvy over night and make an early start on the "Forbes Arete" Monday morning. Hopefully making good progress and getting back in time for my transfer to Geneva.

This will be my first night sleeping in the mountains... lets hope for good weather!

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