Annecy to Chamonix

We drove from Annecy today heading into the French Alps - the horizon changing into towering valley sides of high peaks topped with snow. Not far from Chamonix we sidetracked to a small village called St-Gervais-Des -Bains to catch the Tramway du Mount Blanc - France’s highest train. A 45 minute ride on a cog wheel tram to a height of 2115m near the glacier flowing down from Mount Blanc - a steep, winding and beautiful trip starting in pine forests before rising out into open alpine terrain with awe inspiring views of the mountains. Mount Blanc itself is a rather subdued dome shaped peak compared with those below it but nonetheless a titan of a mountain.
Of interest is the dome shaped climbers refuge on the ridge below the final summit called Refuge de Gouter at 3835m! (the peak is 4810m) - It is ovoid in shape, distinguished by its stainless steel coating and has four levels. Unbelievable to think they constructed that up there. You can see it in the picture on the ridge to the left in some of the pictures.
We settled into our chalet apartment here in Chamonix afterwards and our view is the other side of Mount Blanc - tomorrow we head up the cable car to do some hiking.もっと詳しく