FRENCH - ALPS
... touching the sky ...
A-nimals L-iberty P-assion S-now
There are no words to describe the feeling of freedom that these mountains bring. Talking to the wind on a mountaintop, laughing with the autumn leaves, running among marmots, getting sunburned or snowburned, and seeing yourself reflected in the wonderful blue, green and turquoise lakes. Here below I show you little by little the most beautiful corners of trekking
ANCELLES
In winter all white or in summer all green, the small village of Ancelle that I largely appreciated by its calm. Ancelle has 26 km of ski trails (or do as I did and sleigh down all the trails after making snowmen!). For the fans of water action sports many activities over the Drac river!.
Hiking trails realized:
- The Cousteilles tour.
Difficulty: Easy.
Distance: 11 km
Cumulated height difference: 125 m.
Duration: 2 hours.
The river, the forest, the herds...a beautiful and varied walk!
- Saint Philip's Cross from the castle of Ancelle.
Difficulty: Easy.
Duration: 3h
Distance: 6.58km
Difference in altitude: 395m.
Magnificent view at 360° from the top! During the path, you will see the ruins of an old medieval village. The little extra? Hidden sweet raspberries ...yum!
And to eat well in the evening the speciality: the Champsaur's turtons! Warm, with mashed potatoes, goat cheese, reblochon cheese, bacon, spinach or meat accompanied by a green salad. A delight!
CHABANON
This village where I first drove a dog sledge from the Parc des Ganiayes! Being a person who defends the animal welfare I must thank the monitor and ancient biologist for being so kind and tell us so many stories that I leave you down here!
The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man's.”
Mark Twain
- Husky means " sled dog" . This breed is said to originate from a nomadic people of Russia, the Chukchi (or Chukchi), who used them as a means of transport. Dogs lived very closely with the tribe, serving to keep wild animals away and to warm humans! The breed was introduced to the United States by fur traders at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1909.
- Did you know that nowadays, huskies are not only used to pull sleds? They are crossbreeds created also to optimize speed.
- MOST huskies have blue eyes? FALSE!
Actually, it's something searched genetically in this breed of dog. It is some breeders who select certain dogs for their genes and have them bred. Some even create lines that specialize in blue eyes. But blue eyes are not more sensitive to light
- It is possible that the mother eats one of her puppies at the birth . The most common reason for this is that the mother instincts tell her that one of the puppies has a serious health problem. The choice of nature, which she then follows, is to sacrifice the puppy that will not be able to develop properly in order to redistribute its energy to the other puppies. By eating him, she has one less mouth to feed and ingests a large dose of protein that will allow her to be stronger to care for the other puppies.
St André les Alpes
This time the Alps seen from the sky at 2500m!
My paragliding baptism. At first I was terrified (because I don't like roller coasters) but this sport has nothing to do with it!
It's flying, being a bird, letting yourself be carried away by the raising warm air current. After 30 minutes I felt a little dizzy, but nothing unpleasant. I was lucky enough to cross eagles and birds that accompanied me during the flight. I highly recommend this experience, and if you like it, sign up for the intensive course to become a pilot!
It surprising to read stories and reports of people who use it not only as a sport, but as a means of transport to travel (like a plain) with the tent on their backs and over several countries!
A natural geographical site that is sumptuous, the landscapes here are spectacular and ideal for walking, kayaking, climbing or paragliding. Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers will find their happiness !
The Verdon gorges have their source near the Col d'Allos and stretch for about 33 km. In some places, their vertiginous depth reaches 750 m! Its dimensions naturally make it the largest canyon in Europe!
What to do? I have been swimming and kayaking all along the canyon. In addition to visiting all the small villages that surround it, splendid stone villages like in Tuscany idea for having lunch with good Provençal dishes, buying lavender soap, walking, going up to the castle (yes you will see that all villages have a castle and many streets that go up!). I visited some villages in October and was pleasantly surprised to find pumpkins and witches hidden behind each tree! Funny provenzal Halloween
More info? https://www.lesgorgesduverdon.fr/moustiers-sainte-marie.html
The Mercantour National Park is one of the eleven national parks of France. It is more particularly known to be one of the wildest of France, and one of the most varied in terms of landscapes, with very marked contrasts: from green to brown to gray and blue.
And little remark: you can see animals there! We could greet several chamois and marmot families.
I highly recommend this trek "the circuit of the Lakes". You will see 4 lakes: La petite cayolle, Les Garrets, Lac d'Allos and another very small one. To be done without moderation at any time of the year!
Average duration: 4 hours
Distance: 9.89km
Difference in height: 477m
To sleep? The tent, or in our case a small simple family house (AirBnB) with amazing views to share the cheese and beer in the evening, in the village of Entraudes (beware! the access by car could be a little bit complicated!).
More info? https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-col-de-la-cayolle-lacs-de-la-petite-cayo/
Les écrins, another French national Park.
Granite, migmatite, amphibolite, gneiss, calcschist.... The Écrins massif is a large mountainous massif that shelters important glaciers, and has two peaks of more than 4,000 meters.
In this park we stay in the small commune of Puy de Saint Vincent. A perfect area for skiing in peace, or in my case to make a treck with snow-racquets in Vallouise Valley! I have to say that it was the first time and the first two minutes it was hard to stand on the rocks with two racquets as shoes , but then everything was pleasure and freedom with snow up to my knees!
Amazing landscapes on the heights between giant pines.
And to finish? What better than a good winter raclette to diner.
