TMB Day 6

Today we went from La Fouly to Champex Lac, still Switzerland. It took a total of seven hours, mostly because of the stops we made, but went a total of 11 and a quarter miles, gained 1,991 feet and descended 1,571 feet. We have now done a total of 75.1 miles and shockingly feel great.

The first three days were quite physically challenging, feeling pain in my feet, my knees and lower back and at times feared that it would only get worse. But, on day four I started to turn a corner and by day five, felt great. It took me a full work week 😉 (best fucking work week ever:) of hiking to get into my rhythm and for my body to adjust. I’m not saying I’m ready to hike the Pacific Crest Trail but do believe it to be feasible.

Champex Lac is also known as the Pays du Saint-Bernard (home of the St Bernard), it refers to this area of the Alps between Italy and Switzerland where the Saint-Bernard was trained as a rescue dog. The city’s welcome sign has a picture of the dog:).

Let me back up and quickly capture last night’s dinner. The hosts of our Refugio brought out a couple of half wheels of cheese and the dish, and cheese, is called Raclette.

Raclette is a dish of Swiss origin, also popular in the other Alpine countries, based on heating the cheese (the cheese sits directly below a flame) and scraping off the melted part, which is then served with boiled potatoes.

Initially we had no idea that this consisted of the entirety of our meal and was surprised after I finished my first plate that they came back around and filled it with more cheese and potatoes. This went on until the wheel of cheese was gone. It was great and gives me a new definition of what is acceptable to serve for dinner 😆.

Today we started our hike by briefly going in the wrong direction and needlessly uphill. Balls. After our correction, today felt like a mild day. The first eight miles were relatively gentle and then a final steep uphill push for the final three miles. This town has a beautiful lake, hence the name, and even more beautiful backdrop.

We had drinks for lunch, bought a small bottle of wine that we stopped and shared along the trail, got a round of beers upon arrival and must be going because it is almost time for dinner and the Aperol Spritz are ready. 😉Read more