Jed Micka sends us his trip report from 2003.
He did the classic Hiker’s Haute Route … without cheating.
… This route begins in the Mecca of mountaineering in Europe (or at least the mountaineering tourist capital): Chamonix, France. It then winds its way across eleven alpine passes, through over 180km of grueling terrain, nearly 12km of elevation gain, and two weeks of excruciating effort to a stunning conclusion at the other Mecca of mountaineering in Europe: Zermatt, Switzerland.
The route passes many of the 4000-meter peaks in Europe, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and the Grand Combin. It meanders amongst alpine lakes and Swiss chalets. It sneaks beneath, above, around, and even across (provided you have the gear) glaciers. While under its charm you will spend nights in villages or alpine huts. You will encounter hordes of walkers on some days, and scarcely a soul on others. Beauty, solitude, nature, physical challenge, stunning vistas, depressingly steep paths, marmots, thunderstorms, and crystal clear alpine air – this route has all the hallmarks of a world-class trek. …
… Val des Dix may have had the most gorgeous scenery in the entire hike. I could hardly ask for a better birthday present. …
… Most people think that hiking is about getting to some place – for me it is the opposite. It gives you an opportunity to rid your mind of the day-to-day worries of life. And, when your body is numb from exhaustion, your muscles dripping in lactic acid, and your joints jarred into a relenting submission, your mind achieves a remarkable clarity. So hiking, for me, becomes the ideal means of achieving the clarity required for enlightened thinking. …
Read the entire excellent and philosophical trip report – A Personal Narrative of a Journey from Chamonix to Zermatt
If you want to plan a High Route for yourself, start with out Haute Route information page.
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