Geneva & Chamonix Day 1
Last night was rough. I flew from Denver and stayed up the whole time to try to get acclimated. I was so tired and when I finally arrived in Geneva I was in a daze. I reached my hotel and was greeted by Nicholas who was really excited to see us. He had been helping me set up a bus to Chamonix the following day. He is in his sixties salt, pepper hair conservative suit and tie guy but all personality. He has probably been at this hotel for ages and enjoys his position. He booked the front two seats on the bus to Chamonix so we would have a view the whole way. Very thoughtful and I thanked him for his attention. I was feeling welcome but tired! I had a quick dinner then went to bed.
The first day of jet lag is the worst for me and I try to sleep in, I made it to 5am. The restaurant opened at 6:30am and we were the first to arrive. Breakfast then another nap hopefully I thought. The rest of the day is to explore Geneva then a bus to Chamonix.
Being the headquarters for the Europe United Nations, global hub for diplomacy and banking Geneva is quite a city. Surrounded by the Alps and Jura Mountains the views are amazing in any direction. The main focus is lake Geneva and the waterfront. It is thriving and people are out on the promenade walking, biking, running and the lake is filled as well. I walked down and around the promenade for about two hours and enjoyed the day, people watching. Late check out allowed me to go and have a quick change before the bus to Chamonix.
The ride is about an hour from Geneva and incredibly beautiful. Due to Nicholas and his attention to detail I have the best view the whole way. As I ride there I notice a few things. First the mountains are steep and jagged. They seem to jet out of the ground with no slow rise at all. Amazing! Next I realize I have hardly seen a piece of trash anywhere. In the United States I am so used to seeing garbage, urban camping and people struggling with mental health issues. It is a breath of fresh air to see a difference in culture.
We arrived in Chamonix and had a short walk to the hotel. The Pointe Isabelle, right in the center of town. This valley is magical and the city is vibrant with shops, restaurants, gelato and people everywhere. There are so many people with packs and climbing gear you can feel the popularity of mountaineering everywhere.
The mountains on each side are massive and steep. Giant cable cars and lifts ascend the peaks all around you. All I can say is that I feel I belong here. My partner Jim has come with me on the trek. He is getting older and will most likely take a few chairlifts, buses or trains between towns. He also broke his hand hiking and had surgery about 10 weeks ago. His first impression was astonishment. He lived in Jackson Wyoming for about 3 years and has felt that Jackson Hole and Tetons have never had an equal. The second he set foot in this valley he said "I can't believe I am saying this but this is as amazing or more than Jackson." "Big words!" He was the Director of operations for flights and cargo with a major airline all over the world really. I seldom mention a place he has not been so this is an adventure for us both. It rarely happens that I go someplace he hasn't. I found myself taking pictures all over but no picture can do justice, the sheer walls of mountains that surround us. I am in astonishment.We had a Pizza at Brasserie Le National in town, a gelato and early to bed for the 1st leg of the Haute Route starts early!
Matthew Tepoorten