Alpine Backcountry: France to Switzerland

We've been off the radar for a little while..struggling to find an internet connection and struggling with the people at the Russian Embassy in Paris. After the wedding and family time, we went to Paris and learned that we are not able to get visa's to China because of the Olympics. So..we spent the next 5 days trying to get visa's to Russia... After getting that squared away...we needed some fresh air and headed into the mountains.

We spent five days walking in the Alps between Mt. Blanc (Chamonix-France) and the Matterhorn (Zermatt-Switzerland). Powered by beautiful scenery, a fresh supply of Clif Bars and the best cheese on earth, we had a blast exploring the Alps and some great small villages along the trail. We saw glaciers from high alpine passes and cows with bells hanging from their necks, all the while passing wildflowers in all directions. It rained daily and sometimes throughout the night...next time we will do it the right way and stay in huts. We were the only people carrying a tent on the trail. Definitely a hike to remember...

Above Chamonix-FR



French Alps

French Alps

Hut in Switzerland

Border: France on the right, Switzerland on the left


Wildflowers in France

Switzerland




Walking into Zermatt on cloudy day, Matterhorn above


Edelweiss in Switzerland

Zermatt, Switzerland


We are in the Baltics now, trying to set up some canoeing in Estonia. In a few days we are on to Russia and the Trans-Siberian Railway to Mongolia. More soon,