Chamonix and the French Alps

We arrived in Chamnoix today. It's is a small village nestled in the French Alps. It is a Mecca for climbers, skiers, hikers and mountaineering pros. Every store carries technical gear. The views are breathtaking to say the least. Our hotel, the Grand Hotel des Alps was elegant and romantic. Decorative wood ceiling and carved wood around the doors. Marble bathroom.
We arrived a few hours before we were to meet our hiking group so we decided to take the gondola up to the top and then a cable car to an even higher point. Many trails start or continue thru this high place. The cable car was thousands of feet over the valley below.
We had amazing views of Mont Blanc and the glacier. We had delicious apple pie at almost 10,000 feet. Travel down was a bit heart pounding because you could watch the great angle of decent.
We met our group, general discussion and off to the other side of the valley to board  the world's highest vertical ascent cable car. This one was a bit nerve-wrecking as we jumped from level to level.
At the top there were several viewing areas at various elevations for the best views. We went thru clouds on our way up and found lots of sunshine at the top. Temperature there was in the mid 20s. There was even a clear platform that you could stand on the was hanging over the gorge. That was freaky. Not a place if you are afraid of heights.
Great dinner at a local restaurant and then a good sleep to start the really hiking tomorrow.

























































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