The High Route Begins.
Hello friends,
Every 5 years my former company offered each employee a 1 month sabbatical. The goal is to give each individual some real time off to recharge their batteries. Most put good use to the benefit and spend it with their families, on a long vacation or completing all those projects that somehow remain unfinished. I used it to be in the Alps high in the mountains hiking.
Friday the 13th August 2021, I left my office at 12:00 noon to go get my bags and be on my way. I am off to France then Switzerland via Germany to hike the Haute Route.
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I started my journey from my condo in Denver Colorado walking to the train station. I took the A-line train to the airport often. When I get on, I know where I am going to sit, how long it takes and it feel familiar.
On the train there is a transit officer checking tickets as soon as we start. I see her regularly and say hello. She is nice but tough and you can tell she has been an officer for a long time. Long hair pulled back in a ponytail, glasses and a few wrinkles showing her maturity. Reminds me of Frances McDormand when she was in Almost Famous. She is chatty and starts to tell me how hot it is and she seeks out certain spots on the train for the air conditioning on days like this. I like her and want to tell her about my adventure but she gets pulled away to her duties.
The adventure has begun and I have the thrill of adventure pouring through my being. When I was young my parents decided our family should be skiers. They enrolled us in the Eskimo ski club that went to Winter Park each weekend. I remember the night before each trip not being able to sleep knowing I would get to be skiing the next day. The anticipation was excruciating and wonderful. I had that feeling last night and can feel the butterflies today.
Why the Haute Route? Last year I was hiking 14ers, trail running and trying my best to keep in shape. I really enjoy watching a group called the Mediocre Amateurs on YouTube, they are a bunch of guys who are mountaineers and runner's. Also they are hardly amateurs! If you watch them, some of the things they do will scare you.
I have found myself going to a lot of the same locations they have filmed. Last year "Danny" ran a section of the Haute Route and from the footage I knew I had to go there. Hence I put the obstacle in front of myself and I was on my way. In 10 hours I will be in Frankfurt a 4 hour layover then an hour to Geneva. The following day I will take a bus to Chamonix and start my trek. I can't wait to see the Alps and spend time on the mountain.
I started this blog to document mine and others travels, obstacles and share stories of overcoming them. I will try to publish often to describe my Journey and the trek. My video blog will also be published and I hope you enjoy it.
Matthew Tepoorten