Col des Aravis

A moody and atmospheric day in the Alps today. Which is artistic license for wet.

A rare occurrence for team IttH, we went exploring by car, so a little further afield.
St Gervais is ringed by four wonderful mountain regions. The Mont Blanc Massif steals the headlines, and we've done well in our exploration of the Rochers des Fiz. But to our North lies the Aravis, so today that's where we headed (Beaufortain still awaits).My memory was good, and we emerged over the Col at the Via Ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard, a blast from the past, lots of fun.
Even in the gloom and cloud it was obvious that the scenery, deep ravines and gorges, sharp cliffs and falling waters, was spectacular. We'll have to return for a wander.

This evening we went into town to view the spectacle that the UTMB has become; for the first time in many years we don't know anyone running, though a neighbour hopes to place in the CCC. But watching the sponsor videos and listening to the constant blare through loudspeakers it just didn't sit well as a representation of challenge and a love of the mountains, it didn't seem such a celebration. The route is now detoured to towns and villages for commercial gain, it seems lessened by it. We went home, sat on the balcony and cheered the runners as they came through* (the route passing directly under us). A goodly many folk did the same lining the route, much better to see.
* the first runners were a little after 8pm having left Chamonix at 6.30pm and already ascended 1000m+