HAUTE ROUTE_2013

JACK BANKS

We hiked the Haute Route – a series of trails in the Swiss Alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland -- in 15 days, from July 2 to 16, 2013. The entire hike spanned approximately 120 miles and tackled eleven, often snow-covered passes that ranged between 2700 and 3000 meters (8800 to 9800 feet) in elevation. We hiked on snow-covered trails, steep slopes of scree accompanied by dizzying exposure, grassy bluffs filled with blossoming alpine flowers, and forest paths carpeted with soft pine needles. We passed several majestic glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and alpine lakes; saw a few ibex and countless marmots; got sunburned; ate very well; and slept in cozy hotels and primitive mountain huts. We were in our mid-30s, in reasonably good shape, and had some previous hiking experience in the eastern US and abroad. Yet this trip was by far the most physically demanding and mentally exhausting adventure we had undertaken to date. We loved every minute of it.