Hiking
La Grave (1450 m.)
Glaciers are unusual and precious, hiking near one is a disappearing treat. You soon adapt to the gentle roar of the melt water, then the interruptions by the thunder of small avalanches as the sun heats the ice block. The cool wind is a welcome counter to the strong sunlight here at 2600 m. and more. Not much water so the flowers are sparse and small.
More photos: Walking with glaciers - Parc national des Écrins
Stonethwaite
Taking advantage of a rare sunny day in Borrowdale and Langstrath for a hike up and down the valley, following the Langstrath Beck. The Cumbria Way long distance path was busy with day and overnight hikers. Blackmoss Pot was busy too with people enjoying the cool water plunge.
My watch thermometer indicated 30.5°C in the shade around 2pm. Borrowdale and in particular Seatoller are known for the high annual rainfall so a sunny day in Borrowdale is a precious thing to be enjoyed.
More photos: A sunny day in Borrowdale - Lake District National Park
A day out hiking up from the Col de la Cayolle (2327 m.) to the Col de la Petite Cayolle (2639 m.) on the GR56B. There are still significant populations of alpine mammals in this area although they are shy of humans and are difficult to spot against the rocks. We stopped and watched with long lenses the wildlife above the tree line, the ground recently cleared of the winter snow and ice. A pack of Bouquetin moving around and a number of Marmottes, both adults basking in the sun and their young learning to fight.
Marmottes eat grass but are fiercely territorial and hierarchical, to the extent that the male of one family will kill the young of another. Marmottes dig deep burrows in which they hibernate. Bouquetin are alpine goats, a variety of Ibex and are much larger than a Chamois, they stay far from humans and are difficult to spot against the rocks.
More photos: Bouquetin and Marmottes - Parc national du Mercantour
Hike to the Lac de Lauzon (1998 m.) to enjoy views of the Cirque glacière du Gioberney at the head of the Valgaudemar valley in the Écrins. The cirque is surrounded by a number of peaks of more than 3500 m. and their glaciers. A wonder to walk this landscape early after the snow melt when the footpaths become practicable again without technical alpinism.
More photos: Cirque glacière du Gioberney - Parc national des Écrins
Cabane libre de Boustigue, 1321 m.
Reached by an enjoyable hike from the Route Napoléon at Corps, hiking through forest then alpages, the Cabane libre de Boustigue enjoys a peaceful location at 1321 m. altitude, with idyllic views, particularly of the Grande Tête de l’Obiou (2790 m.) and the Lac du Sautet.
