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Orsières

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    • Carmel CarlsenVia Francigena - part 1
      2
      424
      Day 61

      Day 59 - Martigny to Orsieres

      June 17, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Today's walk was classified as "challenging," and it was. After leaving Martigny, the track followed the Dranse River and the train line. The track was narrow, rough, and unstable (obvious rock slides, tree roots, loose stones - of all sizes - thick beds of pine needles and pine cones; all designed to trip you up). I got to cross a suspension bridge, and then the track conditions got worse. For the first time ever, I removed the rubber stoppers from my poles (to try to keep me more stable going down the loose stones) and actually put the pole straps on my wrists (I was not going to risk loosing a pole). Then, of course, I strayed unwittingly from the path (and upgraded the classification to "bloody difficult"), I crossed over a recent a landslide, realised my mistake, and scaled the side of the mountain to get back on track. That was no mean feat, I was dragging myself up a good 20 to 30m by tree roots, branches, and solid rock holds. Meanwhile, slipping on the loose earth! Honestly, I was scrambling on my hands and knees at one point! I kept repeating two things: "I am not enjoying this" and "you are an experienced bushwalker." When I got back on the path, I was covered in dust, my knees were grazed, my legs and face scratched and bleeding, and all my fingernails were broken! After that adventure, the wind was really taken out of my sails, but I knew I was strong enough for whatever the Path throws at me next. Thankfully, the Path in the afternoon was wider and much more civilised. I got to Orsieres safe and sound and have the most incredible view from my hotel balcony!Read more

    • TravelerVia @ 70
      Day 47

      Orsieres 12 miles

      August 28, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

      Heavy rain all night. Didn’t encourage an early start. And we couldn’t get to our next place, a BnB, before 5pm anyway. The book had various warning comments about this morning’s walk. “The most difficult stretch of the entire Via Francigena”, “precarious footing”, “scramble among boulders”, “slippery stretch among rocks and tree roots with an abrupt drop-off down to the river 20m below”. The train was recommended and Glynice happily took it. Spending a couple of hours sitting in a cafe knitting and blethering to anyone remotely in earshot while consuming coffee with lemon meringue pie seemed a better idea than a very wet scramble. In truth it did live up to its billing, helped by 24 hours of rain, plenty of mud, lots of fallen leaves, and wearing shoes with very little tread left. Nearly 3 hours of very focused hard work. Almost every step had to be carefully placed. Luckily the “route” was very well marked out because in amongst the boulders I wouldn’t have had a clue where to go otherwise.

      Finally reunited with the lady, grabbed some lunch and did the last 5 or 6 miles in almost dry conditions. Much easier walking in very alpine-like terrain. Checked out the station ready for Glynice’s departure tomorrow and then reached the BnB bang on 5pm. Quickly got organised and back into the village for a very acceptable dinner.

      While getting organised I realised that tomorrow’s campsite also had a small dormitory for pilgrims. Managed to convert my tent booking for a dormitory one which meant that I could send my tent, sleeping bag and mat home with Glynice as it was the last night I was hoping to have to camp. Really happy to get that weight out of my rucksack. Of course it does mean that if I can’t get accommodation at any stage I don’t have any back-up. Cross that bridge when I get to it.      Read more

    • TravelerVia Francigena-Franziskusweg
      1
      Day 6

      5.Etappe-St.Maurice-Orsières

      July 6, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

      Heute habe ich eine Pilgerin aus der Schweiz auf dem Weg kennengelernt und später sind wir zusammen bis zum Schluss gelaufen. Sie hat schon den ganzen Jakobsweg in dem gleichen Jahr (2013) wie ich meinen in Portugal gemacht habe. Entsprechend ist die redselige Dame (63) fit und hat für die gleiche Strecke viel kürzer gebraucht als ich. Okay, es war ihr erster Tag und sie hat die Hälfte meines Gepäcks und läuft nur bis Ivrea. Die Füße taten weh, die Hüften, aber das Ziehen unter meinem Knie war besser. Und sie hat mich mit ihrem Tempo motiviert bis zum bitteren Ende zu laufen, es waren 22km und 750 hm. Der Weg war sehr schön, auch wenn es viel Schotterweg war. Nach Ankunft waren wir Bier trinken, das beste isotonische Getränk für eine Pilgerin, und abends das erste Pilgermenü mit Spaghetti Carbonara, lecker. Wieder Mal war ich allein in der Pilgerunterkunft, Esther hat in einem Hotel übernachtet.Read more

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    • TravelerA&K Adventure 2019
      Day 19

      D19 London to Orsieres

      July 23, 2019 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      It’s a rest day!! Or should I say, time to wash our dirty smalls, jump on a tube to Heathrow, fly to Geneva, train to Martigny, then to Sembrancher and onwards to Orsières. Arriving at around 930, it was a late chicken burger for Anthony, and a quick pack in preparation for day one of the Tour Du Mont Blanc.Read more

    • TravelerA&K Adventure 2019
      1
      Day 29

      D29 - TMB Auberge Mont Blanc to Orsieres

      August 2, 2019 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      TOP 3 Highlights:

      1. Food - Every day food makes some kind of feature in our adventures, and today was no different. On arrival to our highest point of the day at Chalet Bovine, the rain had started falling, and we were greeted with a closed sign. I stood there in disbelief and minutes later a young bloke appeared, removed the sign and we were in store for our well needed hot coffee accompanied by a warming piece of fresh apple pie.
      Once we had reached our little Hotel Terminus in Orsières, we had a late lunch. A chicken burger featuring this tasty Jack Daniel’s sauce, local crispy bacon and hand cut chips. Kate had a Veggie burger which was amped up with shredded seaweed. She insisted that it was the best veggie burger she’d eaten in ages, as weird as it sounded!
      This evenings meal featured a local tasting plate of cured meat accompanied by a salad heirloom tomatoes and burrata. Best to just check the photo for this one.

      2. Misty Mornings - We left with haste this morning, after hearing the news of predicted thunderstorms in the region. Needless to say, after a few hours of hiking upwards and spotting our first views of Martigny down in the valley cast by moody skies, the rain began to fall. Luckily, the thunderstorms never eventuated, and the rain turned the forest a lush glossy green, giving rise to humidity and clouds moving in as thick mist around us. The change in weather provided great contrast to the record breaking heat experienced only a week prior.

      3. Finishing! - Our arrival to Champex Lac late this morning, to the spot next to the lake that we were dropped at just 10 days ago, marks the end of our TMB. While we missed the southern tip of the trail, every day provided new scenery (and plant life!) and views that photos just won’t do justice. We will definitely be back!      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Orsières, Orsieres, اورسیر, Ursiores, 1937, 奧西耶爾

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