Hiking a stone's throw from home - a weekend away from work

We're exceptionally lucky to live in the French alps, with a view from the house that we never get bored of:

The only thing with having such a beautiful view is that it's just calling out to be climbed...but the "Grand Colon" requires a little courage before heading off, with some 2400m altitude, and over 1000m vertical climb (4000 feet) from the nearest access point.

I first hiked up there a few years ago with a friend... last year, I took my wife, stopping off en-route overnight in a mountain refuge for a weekend away without the kids (fabulous).

Yesterday, we went up with the entire family, myself, wife and kids (aged 9, 6 and 6), plus a group of friends. I'm especially proud of the kids!

It's pretty spectacular up there, and this kind of thing makes for a great work / life balance!

( Oct 13 2008, 01:56:44 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]